Date:20/02/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/02/20/stories/2006022007130400.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Advani's visit raises hopes among MLAs

Alladi Jayasri

Many BJP legislators are sore over not being accommodated in the Ministry

BRIEF MEETING: The former BJP President L.K. Advani arriving at the Kumara Krupa guesthouse in Bangalore on Sunday. Deputy Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa and party General Secretary H.N. Ananth Kumar are with him. — Photo: V. Sreenivasa Murt hy

BANGALORE: The arrival of the former party President L.K. Advani here to attend the silver jubilee celebrations of the Art of Living Foundation provided an opportunity for the disgruntled BJP legislators to complain about being ignored in the February 17 Ministry expansion.

Their grouse was that most of the 11 who made it to the Ministry belonged to Deputy Chief Minister B.S.Yediyurappa's camp. Only three Ministers, Jagadish Shettar, R. Ashok and Katta Subramanya Naidu are not identified as his supporters.

This has left the legislators loyal to the party General Secretary H.N. Ananth Kumar angry. There was ample indication that all was not well in the BJP on Friday itself, as the allotment of portfolios took all day, and the announcement came out much after the coalition partner Janata Dal (S) gave out its list. Even among those who made it to the Ministry, there are a few who are not entirely happy with their portfolios, but sources say this is the least of the party's problems.

Many legislators from both camps followed Mr. Advani right from the airport on his arrival to the Kumara Krupa guesthouse and got to meet him for minutes before he left for Jakkur, hoping that they would be able to present their litany of complaints to him. However, they had to make do with the slim chance of late-night parleys among Mr. Advani, Mr. Ananth Kumar and Mr. Yediyurappa, and other senior leaders to iron out the creases and ensure a smooth stint for the BJP as a ruling party in Karnataka. Friday's protests by supporters of Mayakonda MLA S.A. Ravindranath, who did not get a berth, seems to be an indication of just how many internal problems the BJP is bedevilled with. Though there are three Lingayat Ministers, including Mr. Yediyurappa, the Panchamshali sub-sect is unhappy that there is not a single representative in the Cabinet for a 70-lakh strong community. Though legislators from both "camps" were seen outside Mr. Advani's room at Kumara Krupa, sources told The Hindu that the legislators who had a great deal to complain about expect Mr. Ananth Kumar to plead their case with Mr. Advani.