Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Mar 10: The legislative council briefly witnessed discussions on whether Yediyurappa is indispensable for the BJP in Karnataka and whether the exit of leaders, Siddaramaiah and Yediyurappa, will create a political vacuum in the state. The discussions also gave rise to suspicion whether Yediyurappa's term will end in a year.

Leader of the opposition in the council, SR Patil, speaking during the discussions on the governor's address on Monday, March 9, wished that Yediyurappa, who has become the chief minister (CM) of Karnataka for the fourth time and matched the record set by erstwhile chief minister, Nijalingappa, who too was CM for four terms, wished that he will complete his remaining three and half years term. "Yediyurappa will not face any danger from the opposition. But, as in 2009, he might face problems from his own men who are sitting next to him. There is a general notion that he might find it hard to even complete one year as CM during his current term," he stated. At this, Basavaraj Horatti, JD(S) MLC, sitting next to him, nodded in agreement.

Patil said that Yediyurappa should complete his full term. He warned the BJP leadership that if they try to replace him, the BJP without Yediyurappa will be reduced to a big zero in Karnataka.

Tejaswini Gowda of the BJP said that for the BJP, zero always comes to the right and not left side. When agreeing that Yediyurappa happens to be a great force for the BJP, she reminded Patil that without Siddaramaiah, Congress will slump in Karnataka. She also said that the Congress without Sonia and JD(S) without Deve Gowda also will be doomed. Horatti tried to coax her into an argument, questioning whether she agrees that without Yediyurappa, BJP in the state will be nothing.

Pranesh of the BJP, intervening in the discussions, said that Vajpayee was the hero once, and Narendra Modi is the hero now. He said that Yediyurappa is the hero in Karnataka and there are no zeros. "New heroes will come up as and when the time comes. Ours is not a family-based party," he stated. Patil retorted by saying that he has no objection if the BJP leaders say that they are not zero without Yediyurappa.

Lehar Singh of the BJP said that the Congress has become a big zero now. "Leaders like Siddaramaiah and Sjhivakumar have become zero there. If they come out of the Congress, they can really become big leaders," he commented.