Bangalore: Yeddyurappa-led KJP heading for a split?

Daijiworld Media Network – Bangalore

Bangalore, Aug 7: Less than a year since its formation, the Karnataka Janata Paksha (KJP) led by former chief minister B S Yeddyurappa seems to be heading for a split. The party which has six MLAs in the state Assembly is facing possibility of division between the MLAs.

Serious preparations have already started for the forthcoming Lok Sabha election. As party leaders like K Mukudappa, former MLA H M Vishwanath, and Vaijanath Patil have submitted their resignations to the party, there is a possibility of other MLAs quitting too, said sources.

Leaders and MLAs from KJP are contemplating joining the Congress party before or after the election, sources said.

It is learnt that MLAs are miffed with the fact that rather than putting in efforts to strengthen the KJP, Yeddyurappa has been concentrating more on whether to return to BJP.

"We had a feeling that Yeddyurappa would make KJP the third strongest party in the state as he had the capability. But he is not taking steps in this direction. On the whole, instead of strengthening the party, he is involved in unnecessary controversies," said Vaijanath Patil, former minister.

"There is a possibility that a few of us might leave the party," he added.

The KJP MLAs and leaders also feel that they do not have political future in KJP, and moreover, they have been getting offers from the Congress, sources said.

Also, by joining Congress, they can hope to be in the reckoning for the next four years.

Currently in the state Assembly, including Yeddyurappa, the party’s strength is 6 and most of them had migrated to the party from Congress. They had joined KJP after they were denied tickets by the Congress.

Now, with Lok Sabha elections approaching, the KJP leaders are reportedly busy planning their way back to Congress.

B R Patil from Alanda constituency in Bidar has already mentally decided to leave KJP. He is also trying to convince Guru Patel from Shahapura constituency and Vishwanath Patel from Bailahongala to do the same. There is a possibility that even these two may soon quit KJP.