Daijiworld Media Network - Puttur (SP)

Puttur, Feb 5: The final meeting in terms of the compromise formula worked out by the Rashtreeya Swayamsevak Sangh leaders to merge Swabhimani Vedike with the BJP will be held in the home of a farmer in Punacha village near here.  Arrangements for the meeting have been completed.

The parleys already held by the BJP leaders with the founder of Swabhimani Vedike Urimajal Rama Bhat, will culminate with the meeting in Punacha. The fact that RSS top leader N Krishnappa will take part in the meeting gives an indication of the level of importance the RSS attaches to this meeting. A total of 15 persons each from the BJP and Swabhimani Vedike have been selected to come together for the meeting.

The BJP which has been facing lot of problems after ascending to power in the state badly needs the support of Vedike to brighten its prospects in Mangalore Loksabha constituency.  The merger, which the people expected to be a difficult proposition because of the hard stance owned by Rama Bhat, has proved to be a surprisingly smooth affair.

Most likely, Shakuntala Shetty, who deserted the party after being denied a MLA ticket after being one-time MLA and Banari Gopalakrishna Bhat, who was removed from the APMC presidentship after he was identified with the Vedike, are expected to be given respectable positions by the BJP, in tune with the wishes of the Vedike.