The participation of these MLAs, including H Halappa, Nehru Olekar, B P Harish, C C Patil and Sunil Valyapure, who tendered his resignation yesterday as Infrastructure Development Minister, is seen as a big blow to the government.
Putting on a brave front, Shettar ruled out his resignation and dissolution of the assembly, asserting that he still commanded majority. "I still command support of 120 MLAs. There is no question of dissolving the Assembly," he said, adding, "only 10-12 MLAs attended" (the event).
He, however, said action will be taken against those who defied the party directive and participated in Yeddyurappa's rally. "There is no question of tolerating indiscipline".
In another sign of potential trouble for the five-month -old Shettar government, at a breakfast hosted by MLC Shivaraj Sajjan here, at least 21 MLAs, seven MLCs and four Lok Sabha members, including Yeddyurappa's son B Y Raghavendra, met Yeddyurappa.