Mayor poll rift? But CM says no differences with Nalin Kumar Kateel

BENGALURU: Jolted by reports about state BJP president Nalin Kumar Kateel calling the shots, and widening gap between the party and state government, Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa on Thursday said he was in good terms with Mr Kateel, and that the leaders consulted each other before announcing any decision.

Mr Yediyurappa's statement came in the wake of reports that Mr Kateel took the decision on candidates for polls in BBMP to elect the new Mayor and his deputy. "Both of us are not taking any unilateral decisions. We consult each other before taking a decision. Even with to regard BBMP elections, the choice for Mayor's post was made after consultations," he told the media here.

The Chief Minister vent his ire against leaders of Opposition parties on lack of response from Union government to the state's plea for funds to support relief operations saying "After the cabinet meeting (today), I am heading to Belagavi to oversee flood relief. The damage to infrastructure is huge and the state requires lot of grants to rebuild infrastructure. I am going again to New Delhi to request release of grants. The Union government has not released flood relief funds to any state, but it does not mean that we are sitting idle. We are releasing money from the state treasury ' he added.