By IANS,
Bangalore : Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa Wednesday sacked four ministers — all Independent legislators — for withdrawing support to the first Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in southern India.
“I have recommended to Governor H.R. Bhardwaj to drop Agriculture Marketing and Small Scale Industries Minister Shivaraj S. Tangadagi, Textile and Sericulture Minister Venkataramanappa, Social Welfare Minister A. Narayana Swamy and Youth Services and Prisons Minister D. Sudhakar from the cabinet for having expressed lack of confidence in me and my government,” Yeddyurappa told reporters.
The decision to sack the four ministers, who extended support to the ruling party that was short of majority to form the government in May 2008, was taken at an emergency cabinet meeting here.
The meeting took place minutes after they submitted a joint letter to the governor stating that they were withdrawing support to the government as they lost confidence in the chief minister.
Of the five Independent legislators, Youth Services and Sports Minister Goolihatti Shekar was dropped Sep 22 along with two ruling party ministers – Higher Education Minister Aravind Limbavali and Adult Education Minister Shivanagouda Naik.
The chief minister also advised the 15 party legislators who signed the joint letter to rethink their decision and withdraw it to avoid facing disciplinary action, including expulsion from the party.
“I have decided to call on the governor later in the day to discuss the political situation in the state,” Yeddyurappa said.