Date:07/11/2009 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2009/11/07/stories/2009110760970100.htm

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I.S.N. Prasad replaces V.P. Baligar as Principal Secretary to Chief Minister

Special Correspondent

Yeddyurappa says Shettar will be included in Cabinet soon

Chief Minister says he will address convention jointly with Jagadish Shettar at Hubli
Two dissident MLAs from Belgaum changed their loyalties and return from Hyderabad

BANGALORE: Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa on Friday began the process of responding to the demands of the dissident camp by transferring his Principal Secretary, V.P. Baligar. He also told a private TV channel in New Delhi that Speaker Jagadish Shettar, who is being projected as an alternative to Mr. Yeddyurappa, would be made a Cabinet Minister in about three days.

However, there was no confirmation from Mr. Shettar on whether he would join the Ministry.

Industries for Baligar

On Friday morning, Mr. Baligar was replaced by I.S.N. Prasad, Chief Project Officer, Karnataka State Highways Improvement Project. Mr. Baligar has been posted as Principal Secretary, Commerce and Industries Department.

To address convention

Mr. Yeddyurappa said he would address a huge convention of party workers in Tumkur on November 15, which party president Rajnath Singh would attend.

Bharatiya Janata Party sources said an attempt was being made to woo Mr. Shettar and separate him from the Bellary ministers who are projecting him as an alternative leader.

Mr. Yeddyurappa also said he would address a convention jointly with Mr. Shettar at the latter’s hometown, Hubli.

Soon after these developments, two dissident MLAs from Belgaum changed their loyalties and returned from the Hyderabad resort where a group of MLAs are staying.

Taluk tours

The Chief Minister has also decided to tour the flood-affected taluks in the State from Sunday.

He will lay the foundation stone for the rehabilitation of flood-affected villages at the taluk level. According to party sources, the Chief Minister will tour the taluks of the dissident MLAs from the flood-hit areas who are staying in resorts in Hyderabad and Goa.

Mr. Yeddyurappa is learnt to have decided to wait till the dissident camp leader and Minister G. Janardhan Reddy comes to the table for talks before discussing some of the other demands made by the Bellary ministers.

A senior party functionary told The Hindu that some of the demands were being made at a personal level.

“But we want to wait till the Reddy brothers discuss such issues across the table with us,” he said, while pointing out that Mr. Janardhan Reddy is yet to hold face-to-face discussions with Mr. Yeddyurappa.