Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore
Bangalore, Jul 23: Chief minister B S Yeddyurappa is under fire from all quarters, including his own party, which is divided over what action to take against him. BJP vice-president Shanta Kumar has reportedly written to party president Nitin Gadkari and senior leader L K Advani recommending Yeddyurappa's ouster.
Kumar reasoned that he was concerned about the image of the party and that Congress may use the issue against BJP during the forthcoming monsoon session in the Parliament.
However, what may work in Yeddyurappa's favour is the fact that the report does not have any direct evidence against him, and that back in 2008, Dharam Singh who too was named in the Lokayukta report had been dropped from the report on behest of the then-governor Rameshwar Thakur.
Nevertheless, demands for the CM's resignation have been emanating from state oppostion parties JD(S) and Congress. But now, rivals in his own BJP are reportedly gearing up to seek his removal from the post as soon as the Lokayukta report on illegal mining is submitted.
The anti-Yeddyurappa group has been huddling together off late to discuss their future course of action. The RSS too had reportedly held a meeting on Friday July 22.
They have decided to go to Delhi to pressurize the party high command to change the leadership, soon after the report is tabled.
The rivals argue that the party’s reputation is at stake. While the high command had been maintaining that it would take action against Yeddyurappa, the rivals insist that with the Lokayukta report indicting him, the party has no choice but to act against him.
The BJP high command has reportedly directed all its leaders not to comment on Lokayukta Santhosh Hegde, at least till his term ends early next month, so as to avoid further trouble.