Karnataka BJP needs Yeddyurappa, backing of majority in legislature unit

NEW DELHI: Pressure is mounting on BJP from within for a patchup with Lingayat leader and former Karnataka CM BS Yeddyurappa, with another former chief minister DV SadanandGowda demanding a meeting of the legislature party to take a call on the issue. Gowda, along with BG Chandregowda, BG Boppaiah and BasavarajBommai, has been in the forefront of the demand for a patch-up with Yeddyurappa. The call for convening a session of the legislature party came on Saturday at the meeting of the BJP’s core group, attended by general secretary in charge of the state, ThawarchandGehlot.

According to Gowda, Yeddyurappa’s return has the backing of the majority in the legislature unit. However, the anti-Yeddyurappa faction led by Ananth Kumar maintains the ex-CM should be asked to approach the party with a formal proposal. “Those opposing the move, like senior party leader Ananth Kumar and former deputy CM K S Easwarappa, say that a proposal for his return should be moved by Yeddyurappa himself, in an open, public way,” said a BJP leader. A formal proposal will smack of too much remorse from the KJP leader, who had quit BJP months after he lost the CM post following his indictment in a Lokayukta report on illegal mining, the leader added.

Yeddyurappa’s return is critical for BJP’s plans to counter Congress in the next Lok Sabha elections, his supporters say. His rebellion had debilitating effect on BJP in four regions of the state — Central Karnataka, Hyderabad Karnataka, Mumbai Karnataka and South Karnataka. Yeddyurappa’s loyalists in BJP say Easwarappa is attempting to thwart a patch-up with the former chief minister. “While Easwarappa came third in the last assembly election, BJP’s sitting MLAs lost their deposit in all six seats in his home district of Shimoga,” said a party leader.

Gehlot told ET: “I have heard out the MLAs and will appraise the party high command of their wishes. A view on this will be taken by the central leadership.”