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

Talking to reporters here, 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 yesterday after 19 MLAs withdrew support to his Government, has risen to six.

Yesterday, 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 October 11, 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 to 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 yesterday 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.

Related report:

BJP confident of winning K'taka trust vote

BJP today expressed confidence on winning the October 11 trust vote, amid indications that the crisis faced by the 28-month-old Yeddyurappa ministry is set to blow-over.

Along with BJP general secretary H N Anath Kumar, the "save Yeddyurappa campaign" is partly being spearheaded by Tourism and Infrastructure Development Minister G Janardhana Reddy, who had led a rebellion against the Chief Minister last year.

"We have clear majority," Reddy said adding opposition leaders Siddaramaiah (Cong) and H D Kumaraswamy (JD-S) will have to "hang their heads" on October 11 (when the government faces the trust vote).State BJP President K S Eshwarappa said the government was not facing crisis."We are 100 per cent confident of getting a majority on October 11", Eshwarappa said."There is no question of dissident activities in the BJP. Some MLAs are dissatisfied; they nurse desires and hopes of getting posts and positions", he said, adding as a family, the BJP would resolve the issues amicably.Meanwhile, S K Bellubbi, one of the 18 MLAs who announced withdrawal of support to the Government yesterday, deserted the dissident camp and expressed loyalty to the government.BJP sources said Bellubbi is likely to be made a Minister, along with dissident BJP MLAs Beluru Gopalakrishna and H S Shankaralinge Gowda in order to win over the rebels.

Ministers S Suresh Kumar, V S Acharya and B Sriramulu have offered to quit, if required, to make way for induction of new faces.Sources said the Minister of Information Technology, Biotechnology and Housing, Katta Subramanya Naidu, facing allegations of corruption when he was Industries Minister, is likely to be dropped.Sources said Sugar and Horticulture Minister S A Ravindranatha and Mass Education and Public Libraries Minister Revu Naik are likely to be asked to quit, if need arises, to accommodate more aspirants into the Cabinet.Meanwhile, party sources said more dissidents are expected to desert the rebel camp and switch over to the government camp. Some dissidents are reportedly worried about attracting provisions of anti-defection laws.