MYSURU: Away from the glitter of Republic Day celebrations, chaos reigned in the BJP as ministers came under pressure to step down to accommodate defectors who won on BJP tickets and party loyalists who are waiting in the wings.

During an event at Suttur Mutt on Sunday, chief minister BS Yediyurappa refused to answer questions on the issue, tersely saying: “I will not respond to questions on cabinet expansion.” However, at the event, Yediyurappa welcomed Chikkaballapura legislator D Sudhakar as a “future minister”, indicating at least one of the 11 turncoats who won is certain of a place in his cabinet.

Earlier, Sudhakar had dismissed the possibility of defeated candidates being made ministers, citing the Supreme Court verdict upholding their disqualification. “The Supreme Court gave clear directives while dealing with our petition and it has to be factored in,” he told reporters.

However, AH Vishwanath, one of the disqualified MLAs who lost and who is reportedly pushing for a cabinet berth, found support in Chamarajanagar BJP MP V Srinivas Prasad, who said all 17 rebel MLAs should find a place in the council of ministers. “I stand by what I had said earlier,” he said.

Meanwhile, BJP legislator and former Union minister Basanagouda Patil Yatnal said in Vijayapura that all those who enjoyed privileges of power earlier should now make a “sacrifice” for the sake of the party. Yatnal appeared to be targeting former CM, opposition leader and present industries minister Jagadish Shettar and former DyCM and legislative council opposition leader KS Eshwarappa, who is now the RDPR minister.

“Despite serving as a senior minister in the [Atal Bihari] Vajpayee government, I’ve given up ministerial aspirations,” Yatnal said. “I expect all those who previously enjoyed power including those who served as CM, DyCM and opposition leader to sacrifice their posts now. Sacrifice is not only for cadres but also for leaders who make speeches about it.”

In Tumakuru, law and parliamentary affairs minister JC Madhuswamy said he was prepared to resign if the party instructs him to do so. “I will happily vacate my cabinet berth to ensure a stable government,” he said, adding sarcastically that he will even resign from his MLA seat if asked.

But health minister B Sriramulu, in Chitradurga, sang a different tune saying all those commenting on resigning from posts were talking in their “personal capacity”. He evaded questions on resigning and instead suggested he continues to nurture hope of being elevated to DyCM. “Yes, people are demanding it [that he be made DyCM]. However, it is up to the central leadership and I will abide by whatever decision they take,” Sriramulu said.

Reports suggest Yediyurappa has sent a tentative list of about seven names from the disqualified lot, who won on party tickets, and another set of BJP loyalists to central leadership for approval.