Reddy suffers setbacks on night safari plan

BJP insiders claim CM is backing forest minister, who is opposed to the proposal

Fresh trouble seems to be brewing in the ruling BJP, with insiders claiming that the ongoing tussle between the forest and the tourism ministers over night safari at Bannerghatta National Park has been engineered by none other than the Chief Minister himself.

Tourism minister Janardana Reddy had recently proposed the night safari project, which was shot down by C H Vijayashankar, who took over as forest minister last week.


Tourism minister Janardana Reddy had recently proposed the night safari project

Reddy, who is known to be at loggerheads with CM Yeddyurappa, was already stung by the recent reshuffle in the cabinet despite opposition from some party members.

To make matters worse, Vijayashankar issued a statement saying that he would not allow a night safari in the wake of recent tiger deaths.

The forest minister had said that the project would go against the principles of preserving wildlife.

A miffed Janardana Reddy said yesterday, "I will sit with Vijayashankar and the chief minister and I am sure they will be convinced. Let me tell you the safari will start soon."

But Vijayashankar showed no signs of relenting.u00a0 "Nobody can force me to change my decision as it is in the interest of conservation of forest area," he told MiD DAY.

"The CM is using all possible opportunities to convey he is the boss. The night safari issue is just a beginning and we are yet to see more political turbulence in future," said the source.