Initiating the first move towards breaking the political logjam and to bring the dissident leaders gunning for his removal to the negotiating table, Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa on Friday transferred his Principal Secretary V P Baligar.
Baligar has been posted as Principal Secretary Industries department and I S N Prasad replaces him as Secretary to the Chief Minister, official sources told PTI.
As part of a compromise formula offered by him to placate Tourism Minister G Janardhana Reddy and Revenue Minister G Karunakara Reddy, who are spearheading the "oust Yeddyurappa" Campaign, the Chief Minister ordered Baligar's transfer.
Yeddyurappa is awaiting the BJP high's command nod for dropping some of the ministers, for whom the rebels have been gunning.
Yeddyurappa met senior leader Murli Manohar Joshi in Delhi on Friday and apprised him of the developments.
In another development, Gopalakrishna Belur, a dissident MLA, now staying in Hyderabad claimed that on Thursday night 48 MLAs had sent in their resignations from Assembly membership to the party high command, declaring that they would not accept any compromise formula other than axing of the Chief Minister.
Prominent dissident leader Janardhan Reddy claimed that he handed over resignations of 53 MLAs to party leader Sushma Swaraj in Delhi.
Earlier, on Friday Yeddyurappa hinted at a compromise formula under which he may have to axe some ministers and transfer some officials to end the crisis.
"Any important issue...whatever our all India leaders direct me, I am bound to do it. I have already agreed," he told reporters during his morning walk.
He was asked whether he is ready to sacrifice ministers and transfer bureaucrats as demanded by the Reddy brothers - Tourism Minister Janardhana Reddy and Revenue Minister Karunakara Reddy - who are heading the dissidents in the state.
Yeddyurappa also ruled out leadership change.
Under a reported compromise formula in the making, Rural Development Minister Shobha Karandlaje, considered close to the Chief Minister, may be axed and Assembly Speaker Jagdish Shettar inducted into the cabinet.
Yeddyurappa expressed confidence that the crisis maybe over by the evening after meeting of the central leadership with state leaders following which a press conference maybe held.
Asked about the delay in settlement, he said, "That was ineveitable in politics".
To a question whether he would work with the Reddy brothers, he said "after a settlement is reached one should forget the past and work together".
Yeddyurappa said he was ready to accept some of the demands of the dissident Reddy brothers and asserted he has been assured by the leadership that he would continue in the post.
"Yesterday I took the decision in accordance with the interests of the Reddy brothers that Balighar (Principal Secretary to the CM) be shifted. That I have accepted and regarding the other demands also I have told our leaders that I am ready to accept other things also," he told reporters in New Delhi.
He was replying to a question whether he would sack Rural Development Minister Shoba Karandlaje, whose removal has been demanded by the Reddy brothers.
Yeddyurappa said he was a disciplined soldier of the party and he has met all the national leaders who have "expressed confidence in me and told me to continue to focus on my regular work."
He said he would work according to the guidelines of the national leadership. He said he would go to Bangalore and continue the relief work.
Asked about the sudden departure of Tourism Minister G Janardhana Reddy for Hyderabad from Delhi, the Chief Minister he had no no knowledge about it and he would not discuss it.PTI
