Thursday, August 25 2005 15:33 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Bangalore: Seeking to present a picture of unity in the faction-ridden Karnataka unit of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), two of its front ranking leaders today (Aug 25, 2005) said there are no differences among leaders.

Addressing a press conference just a fortnight after a truce was brought about in the party, BJP state unit President Jagadish Shettar and its opposition leader in the assembly B S Yediyurappa, who led a faction of party MLAs in his failed attempt to form an alternative Government with Janata Dal Secular (JDS), coalition partner of Congress, sought to dismiss as 'meaningless' reports regarding renewed dissidence activities.

Shettar also refuted reports that he has resigned from the party post upset over the factional fights between party National General Secretary Ananthkumar and Yediyurappa.

He said everyone in the party had been directing efforts to strengthen the organisation.

Not to be left behind Congress and JDS, which are on convention organising spree, the BJP has decided to organise a rally of slum dwellers, SCs and STs during October in the city which would be attended by its national leaders, they said.

Two weeks ago, Yediyurappa plunged the party into a crisis threatening to split and align with JDS to form an alternative Government, which turned out to be an exercise in futility.

Central leaders intervened to bring about a truce. Shettar attacked Congress-JDS government for neglecting flood-affected people and charged development activities have come to a standstill as both were immersed in bickering.

Yediyurappa said he and Shettar would visit Delhi on August 29 to discuss with party MPs ways to seek central aid for flood relief. He demanded the Centre to release Rs 1,000 crore immediate assistance to the state.