Karnataka CM B S Yeddyurappa, whose government is facing a serious crisis following rebellion by a section of BJP MLAs, sacked two more dissident ministers on Thursday.

Talking to reporters in Mangalore, Yeddyurappa said he had recommended to Governor H R Bharadwaj to drop minister for Municipal Administration Balachandra Jarakihole and Minister for Fisheries Anand Asnotikar from the Ministry.

With this, the number of dissident ministers dropped from the ministry since Wednesday after 19 MLAs withdrew support to his Government, has risen to six. On Wednesday, the Chief Minister had axed four ministers.

However, Yeddyurappa chose not to drop dissident Excise Minister M P Renukacharya, who is spearheading the dissident group.

Later, Yeddyurappa left for Kannur district in Kerala to offer prayers at the Rajarajeshwari temple.

In another development, the BJP high command has deputed senior leader Venkaiah Naidu to defuse the crisis and save the tottering first-ever BJP Government in the South.

The BJP government in the state has been rocked by the action of 19 MLAs–14 from BJP and five Independents–who revolted against Yeddyurappa’s leadership dissatisfied with the recent cabinet expansion and gave a letter to the Governor withdrawing support to him.

After the revolt, Yeddurappa had met Bharadwaj and told him he was ready to face the trial of strength on 11th October one day ahead of the deadline set by the Governor for the 29-month-old government.

Yeddyurappa has expressed confidence of proving the majority enjoyed by his government.

Naidu accused the Congress of trying to destabilise the Karnataka government.

“Our information is that the Congress party is trying the destabilise the government and they are behind the entire effort. They are coordinating with the JD(S),” the BJP leader said.

He said there is a “Problem in Karnataka. Some of our MLAs have gone to Chennai, some have gone to Cochin and there are reports that some have gone to Mumbai and they are going to be taken to some other destination out of the country”.

Naidu said senior party colleague Janardhan Reddy had met some of the legislators on Wednesday and they seemed to have expressed certain grievances following which the BJP national president advised us to be in Bangalore and be available for consultations with state party leaders.

Senior BJP leaders will meet and discuss if some genuine grievances can be addressed, he added.