Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Oct 9: The dispute over the creation of 'Sangolli Rayanna Brigade', supposedly a front of BJP comprising of lower castes, refuses to die down. The brigade activities are continuing, and there is suspense over the relationship Eshwarappa will be maintaining with this organisation. Yeddyurappa was hell bent on ensuring that the brigade does not get created. At the emergency meeting of leaders, including Eshwarappa, held at MLAs Hostel here on Saturday, October 8, a decision to continue with the brigade which plans to organise the backward castes and Dalits under its banner, was taken.

President of the organisation, Virupakshappa, working president, K Mududappa, convener, Venkaeshamurty, retired IAS officer, Puttaswamy, retired police officer, Sangram Singh, and several others held discussions in the presence of Eshwarappa, before deciding against dismantling the organisation.

After national organising secretary of BJP, Ramlal, strictly told Eshwarappa to distance himself from the brigade, the convention planned at Tumakuru on Saturday was called off. At the same time, Eshwarappa refused to speak to media representatives.  Sources claim that Eshwarppa told other leaders of the brigade that he would continue with his efforts to convince Yeddyurappa about the relevance and importance of the brigade, and that he will never desert this organisation. Some of the brigade leaders said that their primary aim was to ensure that  Yeddyurappa becomes the next chief minister and that they will continue with the organisation even if Eshwarppa leaves it, as it is an entity that is independent of BJP.

After the meeting, Virupakshappa said that the brigade will continue to function and that a function to administrate oath for conveners will be held on December 6 at Nandagarh, where Rayanna was executed. There, conveners for assembly constituencies and districts would be appointed. A mega convention comprising ten districts will be held at Basavakalyan on January 26 next year, he added. Mukudappa said that the Tumakuru meet has been postponed, and not cancelled. He stressed that the way the flowing water cannot be stopped, the brigade, which has become mammoth now, cannot be stopped from moving ahead.