Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Sep 11: BJP is understood to have launched a major offensive by way of 'Operation Lotus' in the state to cause the downfall of the coalition government. This time, its target happens to be 20 MLAs.

The plan is to attract 12 MLAs with the support of Jarkiholi brothers who are said to be disgruntled over the recent developments in Belagavi district. On the other hand, Yeddyurappa is involved with behind-the-scene manoeuvres to get support of eight legislators owing allegiance to other parties. The plan is to put together a minimum of 16 legislators so that the coalition government can be floored.

Yeddyurappa 

The BJP hopes to bank prominently on the anger of Jarkiholi brothers relating to PLD bank election in their home district. Reportedly, Balachandra Jarkiholi, who has been identified with the BJP, is acting as mediator between the two sides to conjure up the magic numbers required.

It is gathered that Yeddyurappa has convinced the national leadership of the party for this move by saying that his dream of becoming chief minister will come true only if the coalition government crashes before the Lok Sabha election. However, there is a hitch in the form of state leaders, former deputy chief ministers, Ashok and Eshwarappa and former chief minister, Jagadish Shettar, who have remained aloof without doing anything to favour this move. Realizing this situation, some Congress and JD(S) leaders have meet BJP legislators and offered them posts of ministers. It is a huge task to get support of 16 MLAs, the BJP national leadership knows.

There have been rumours that Ramesh Jarkiholi met Maharashtra chief minister, Devendra Fadnavis, through his relatives in that state and discussed some issues with him. Responding to this allegation, Ramesh Jarkiholi clarified that the coalition government does not face any peril from his family. He said he met the chief minister of Maharashtra, as they have sugar factories in Maharashtra. Jarkiholi family is also aggrieved at the chief minister not transferring the superintendent of police and northern range inspector general of police as per their recommendation, and transfer of certain engineers to some other places by minister, Shivakumar, against their wishes.

Although Jarkiholi brothers were to hold discussions with Sriramulu and Yeddyurappa here on Monday, they could not do so as Sriramulu had by then, left for Ballari. While the Jarkiholi brothers have been eyeing the post of the chief minister, Yeddyurappa is said to have agreed to make one of them deputy chief minister.