Daijiworld Media Network – Bengaluru (RJP)
Bengaluru, Jun 27: When there were tensions in Congress party soon after the recent cabinet reshuffle, opposition BJP was watching developments as if it was immune to such problems. But when the problem in the Congress died down, BJP has seen a few developments which can be classified as serious in nature as the senior leaders too have voiced their concerns.
Yeddyurappa, Eshwarappa and Sadananda Gowda
It is a well-known fact that the new BJP chief B S Yeddyurappa had formed KJP (Karnataka Janatha Party) some years back and then returned to BJP, his original party. Now he has been accused of favouring the former KJP members who are in BJP.
Eshwarappa, first to speak up
Leader of the opposition in legislative council, K S Eshwarappa, had openly expressed his resentment at the way district presidents of BJP committees were appointed. Speaking to media persons in Bidar on June 23, he had objected to the way in which announcement was made about appointment of office bearers of the party by the state president, Yeddyurappa, without holding discussions on this issue at the core committee meeting of the party. He said that he would be raising this topic with top leadership of the party.
"There is democracy within the BJP. But I have objection to the way in which Yeddyurappa took unilateral decision about appointment of office bearers to state unit of BJP and district presidents, without placing the matter for discussion before the core committee. A number of people have complained to me on this aspect. I hold this to be a wrong decision. I do not know why he did this, but I have observed that party activists are hurt at some wrongs in this selection. I will discuss this matter with the concerned," he had stated.
New shape to dissidence
After few days, Eshwarappa’s complaint has taken a different and definite shape with more leaders supporting him. Many party leaders have held meetings in different levels and it is believed that they will hold a state level meeting very soon. They do not want to go to New Delhi separately, but want to take a delegation to show solidarity, it is learnt.
Sources said that these leaders are planning to hold a meeting in a Hotel in city soon. Before that several meetings between leaders and workers will take place. As per reports, many senior leaders have voiced their concerns in private regarding Yeddyurappa’s ‘KJP favour’ in the party. They may come open anytime in public. Union labour minister D V Sadananda Gowda has come out in open about his unhappiness, albeit indirectly. But the dissidents have taken it as they have the ‘moral support of Gowda.
Some leaders want to sit with Yeddyurappa and convince him before they take the delegation to New Delhi. It is not clearly known what will happen next and where the dissidents will reach from here. But it is obvious that all is not well in state BJP.