BANGALORE: Even as the stalemate in the faction-ridden BJP continues over the Cabinet formation, former CM B S Yeddyurappa's camp is seriously trying to engineer a defection in the rival group, led by BJP national general secretary H N Ananthkumar and former minister Jagadish Shettar.By doing so, the Yeddyurappa camp wants to reduce Shettar's bargaining power in the Cabinet formation and also retain plum portfolios. According to sources, the Yeddyurappa camp is already in touch with about 20 MLAs of the rival group and even got positive feelers in return. However, a clear picture will emerge in a day or two.The Shettar camp has about 50 MLAs and it is demanding an equal share in the Cabinet besides seeking plum portfolios like Finance, Industry, Energy, Transport and Public Works Department. This apart, they are also asking for 50 per cent of the boards and corporation on their side. They are allegedly demanding MP Renukacharya, Murugesh Nirani, Basavaraj Bommai and V Sommanna, who worked like Yeddyurappa's foot soldiers in last week's political battle for supremacy, be kept out of the Cabinet.Meanwhile, the party high command is said to have asked both the factions to solve all issues between them through talks.The Shettar camp has dismissed the possibility of defections from their side while accusing their rivals of floating rumours."We are all with Shettar and will continue to remain by his side. Whatever decision Shettar and Eshwarappa take, we will abide by that," said former minister, Balachandra Jarkiholi, who met Shettar at his residence on Friday morning.On Friday, there was not much of political activities in both the camps. While Chief Minister B S Sadananda Gowda attended meetings and received President Pratibha Patil, who is on a threeday visit to the state, Shettar remained at his residence as most of the north Karnataka MLAs had left for their respective constituencies.Besides Jarkiholi, former minister G Janardhan Reddy also met Shettar.
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