'Yediyurappa blackmailed with CD': Miffed Karnataka BJP netas slam CM's cabinet expansion

Amid simmering discontent post-cabinet expansion in Karnataka, BJP leaders have made a massive allegation against Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa, and Congress has demanded a probe in matter. After a long wait, seven legislators namely - MTB Nagaraj, R Shankar, CP Yogeshwar, Umesh Katti, Arvind Limbavali, Murugesh Nirani, S Angara - took oath as BJP high-command finally gave a d to Yediruppa's much-awaited cabinet expansion. expansion was significant as many leaders including those who jumped ship from Congress and JDS, resulting in fall of previous Kumaraswamy government, were waiting to get a berth.

However, disgruntled BJP leaders who weren't included spoke out against CM openly with senior BJP leader Basanagouda R Patil claiming that only those who blackmailed CM "with a CD" were inducted. Ors who expressed ir grievances openly are - Mysore MLA Ramadoss, chief whip in Karnataka Assembly Sunil Kumar Karkala, Ron MLA Kalakappa Bandi and MLA from Belgaum (South) Abhay Patil.

Senior BJP leader Basanagouda R Patil alleged, "Yediyurappa only considered and appointed those who blackmailed him with a CD and paid huge money to him. Two are been made ministers and one person has been made political secretary after all three used CD to blackmail him. Yediyurappa completely igred party loyal workers like us and those who blackmailed him, made a CD and planned to bring down his government have been made ministers."

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Ramadoss said in a tweet, "I started my journey as Mysore youth president and have served as state youth president twice. Loyally, I have worked for party for 28 years. 11 MLAs in my region, 10 of m have gone to or parties. Party is my mor. I am a swayamsevak. It is against me to become a minister by using or methods. This is an injustice to Mysore region. Anyone from district could have become a minister." Similarly, state government's chief whip in Karnataka Assembly, Sunil Kumar Karkala said that he has always been loyal to party and have never blackmailed for posts. disgruntled leaders have decided to write to party chief JP Nadda and will express ir disappointment to Union Home Minister and ex-BJP chief Amit Shah when he visits Bengaluru on January 16. 

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Yediyurappa's reaction 

However, CM BS Yediyurappa asked sulking BJP leaders to take up matter with national leadership and urged m to refrain from making any remarks affecting party. Chief Minister had expanded his cabinet on Wednesday after much deliberation.

"If BJP MLAs have any objection y can go to Delhi, meet our national leaders and give m all information and complaints y have. I won't object to that but I ask m t to dam party's reputation by talking ill," Yediyurappa told reporters in Bengaluru.

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Congress wants action 

As development stirred political scenario in Karnataka, Congress KPCC president DK Shivakumar said that re must be a judicial probe into allegations, adding that probe should be headed by a High Court judge. "Allegations made by BJP legislators are serious and need to be probed. Why are IT, ED, ACB and Lokayukta t taking any action? y must register a suo moto case and start probe,” he said. Shivakumar added, "When I had mentioned about CD earlier, BJP leaders asked me to provide information, w ir own leaders are discussing about it. Let m take action."

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