K’taka BJP leader makes U-turn, says 17 MLAs’ sacrifice must be respected

Bengaluru, Nov 26 : Karnataka Chief Minister, B. S. Yediyurappa’s political secretary, M. P. Renukacharya on Thursday made a U-turn stating that “17-legilsators” who sacrificed their political future are worthy of becoming ministers in the state cabinet.
For the last two days, Renukacharya had been making statements that it was because of 105 BJP MLAs the 17 MLAs who quit Congress and Janata Dal (S) were enjoying ministerial posts.
This statement had certainly angered MLAs who had quit their parent parties and joined the BJP to help incumbent Chief Minister B. S. Yediyurappa to form the government.
The debate was turning ugly, with ministerial aspirants like M. T. B. Nagaraj and A. H. Vishwanath taking him on publicly.
The ongoing public spat between Renukacharya and 17 legislators’ camp was also giving an impression that Yediyurappa was not in firm control of the party.
Speaking to reporters, Renukacharya said that he never had a slightest doubt about 17 legislators helping the BJP to come to power in the state in 2019. “I have never questioned their ability to become ministers but I was only highlighting that the ruling party has 105 MLAs who are also equally capable to be ministers. The ruling party leaders like Yediyurappa should take a call on these matters,” he said.