Karnataka BJP in a fix over Sangolli Rayanna

BENGALURU: The BJP in Karnataka is in a turmoil over a Sangolli Rayanna brigade, set up by one of its senior leaders KS Eshwarappa, ostensibly to target the votebank of the state chief minister Siddaramaiah and increase their own appeal among the backward castes and the Dalits.

Eshwarappa has attended a few meetings of this brigade, named Sangolli Rayanna after the 18th century commander-in-chief of Rani Chennamma of Kittur, who fought the British and is said to be the founder of guerilla warfare in India. The move, however, has been publicly frowned upon by BJP state president BS Yeddyurappa, who said: "Leaders of the party should organise rallies, form outfits and organisations only within the party boundaries, and should not cross the 'Lakshman Rekha' for promoting community-based outfits."