Yed alert

It is rumoured that brothers G Janardana Reddy and Kaurnakara Reddy, both powerful leaders in the BJP, plan to form a government with Congress support after splitting the party.

That prompted their arch rival and JD(S) boss H D Deve Gowda to send his son Kumarswamy to meet Congress president Sonia Gandhi two days ago.

A close source to Gowda said he was doing everything possible to scuttle the plans of the Reddy brothers.

Trigger effect

The secret meeting between Kumaraswamy and Sonia has triggered much behind-the-scenes activity in the BJP.u00a0

Renukacharya, MLA and chairman of Hatti Gold Mines, called a closed door meeting in which a handful of disgruntled BJP MLAs took part.

Renukacharya, once close to Yeddyurappa, is not on good terms with the chief minister after his own romantic link with nurse Jayalakshmi was exposed.

He wanted to become a minister, but he was made chairman of a gold mine under loss.

Renukacharya is trying to use the crisis to improve his chances of becoming a minister.

While some MLAs are talking to Reddys, others are sitting on the fence.

"The chief minister has to re-shuffle the cabinet after the results, and it is an opportunity for us to make our case. Building pressure now is important," said an MLA.

In the meanwhile, Kumraswamy is understood to have launched a counter operation, buoyed by Sonia's positive response.

Yeddyurappa had poached MLAs from the JD(S) and Congress to improve his numbers on the floor of the house, but now Kumarswamy is trying pull BJP MLAS to his side in the hope of forming a government with Congress support.

"The Reddys or Kumarswamy will need to attract at least 57 MLAs from the BJP to form a government. It is not easy, but they can stress out Yeddyurappa," said a BJP leader.

"Exciting news! Mid-day is now on WhatsApp Channels Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!