Bangalore, June 19 (IBNS): Giving a new challenge to Karnataka Chief Minister DV Sadananda Gowda, loyalists of former Chief Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader BS Yeddyurappa set a three-day deadline for him to call a legislature party meeting.

Yeddyurappa's loyalists took the decision after meeting in Bangalore on Tuesday.

Public Works Minister CM Udasi told reporters that 40 Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs), seven Members of the Legislative Council (MLCs) and three Members of Parliament (MPs) were present at the meeting at his residence.

He said Yeddyurappa and state Rural Development Minister Jagadish Shettar will soon visit New Delhi to meet with BJP's central leaders.

Udasi said Yedyurappa's camp has a strong support of 75 MLAs out of 120 legislators in the 224-member state assembly.

Yeddyurappa voiced his opinions against Gowda several times in the past.

He had asked BJP's central leadership to reinstate him as the Chief Minister of Karnataka.

The camp is trying to remove Gowda from the post, media reports said.

According to reports, Yeddyurappa is currently backing Jagadish Shettar to become the next Chief Minister of the state.

Yeddyurappa on July 31 last year had resigned as the Chief Minister of Karnataka after he was indicted by the Karnataka Lokayukta Santosh Hedge in the illegal mining report.