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BENGALURU: Chief minister BS Yediyurappa held discussions with 25 MLAs at his home-office, Krishna, on Thursday. This is the second such meeting in less than a week.

Legislators from central and Kalyan-Karnataka regions mainly attended the over two-hour meeting. While they claimed that some ministers’ reluctance to release funds for constituencies and the strategy for the April 17 bypolls were the key talking points, BJP insiders said that the gathering’s real purpose was to consolidate support for Yediyurappa.

There is some speculation that BJP might consider leadership change in Karnataka after the assembly elections in four states. There was similar chatter a few months ago, but Yediyurappa remained in control.

Senior BJP legislator Basanagouda Patil Yatnal, who has repeatedly questioned Yediyurappa’s leadership, was also a subject of discussion, the insiders claimed. The MLAs decided that they would complain against Yatnal to national BJP president JP Nadda. Twenty-five to 30 BJP MLAs have apparently signed a letter seeking disciplinary action against him.

Yediyurappa and MLAs in his camp believe that Yatnal is backed by some senior party members in Karnataka and Delhi. This may be why no serious action has been taken against Yatnal despite his repeated comments against the chief minister.

Yediyurappa loyalists expressed unhappiness that ministers were not condemning Yatnal. Some reportedly complained about rural development and panchayat raj minister KS Eshwarappa, claiming he was not releasing adequate funds for development works in their constituencies. “Every time we go to them (ministers) for funds, they cite the pandemic and turn down our request. The RDPR minister has withheld funds for works cleared by the finance minister,” an MLA alleged.

Yediyurappa assured them that he would resolve the issue soon. “If any minister delays releasing funds, you come to me and I will get the work done. But don’t go to the media as it will send a wrong message about the government,” he reportedly told the MLAs.

Ministers Govind Karjol, B Sriramulu and Murugesh Nirani and CM’s political secretary, MP Renukacharya, were present at the meeting.