Date:25/08/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/08/25/stories/2008082550010100.htm

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Bellubbi quits, Umesh Katti to join Ministry on August 27

Special Correspondent

S.K. Bellubbi

Umesh Katti

BANGALORE: The “Operation Lotus” launched by the Bharatiya Janata Party to gain a clear majority in the State Legislative Assembly on its own has claimed its first victim with the first-time Minister S.K. Bellubbi tendering his resignation to make room for new entrant from Janata Dal (Secular) Umesh V. Katti in the Cabinet headed by Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa.

Mr. Bellubbi, who represents the Basavana Bagewadi constituency in the Assembly, submitted his resignation to the Chief Minister on Sunday. Mr. Katti resigned as an MLA a few days ago and joined the BJP. Mr. Yeddyurappa, State BJP president D.V. Sadananda Gowda and senior Ministers held a meeting with MLAs from Bagalkot and Bijapur districts at the Chief Minister’s private residence at Dollar’s Colony in the city and convinced them that Mr. Bellubbi would be given a “suitable” post soon.

Emerging out of the meeting, Mr. Gowda told presspersons that Mr. Bellubbi had submitted his resignation letter to him and the Chief Minister on his own. “We will give Mr. Bellubbi the post of chairman of a major corporation or board,” Mr. Gowda said. Mr. Gowda indicated that the swearing-in ceremony for Mr. Katti, a prominent Lingayat leader of Belgaum district, would be held on Wednesday as the Chief Minister was slated to leave for the U.S. that evening.

The supporters of Mr. Bellubbi have staged protests in Bijapur opposing the move to drop him from the Cabinet. Mr. Gowda said that it was natural that supporters rally behind their leader.

Mr. Gowda said that for the time being no other Minister would resign from the Yeddyurappa Cabinet.