Daijiworld Media Network – Bangalore (SP)

Bangalore, Sep 10: The central leadership of BJP seems to be in a dilemma relating to the adamant posture of former Chief Minister, Yeddyurappa, that Koppal bypoll should be held under his leadership. Besides heading the election campaign, he wants to guide the manoeuvres towards ensuring success of the party candidate, Karadi Sanganna.

National president of BJP, Nitin Gadkari, has instructed the party’s state leadership to face the bypoll collectively. But, Yeddyurappa insists that he will lead the electioneering like the previous bypolls. But leaders like K S Eshwarappa and Jagadish Shettar feel that giving leadership to a leader facing corruption and scam charges would give a wrong signal at a time when the party is fighting at the national level against corruption. It is learnt that Chief Minister (CM), D V Sadananda Gowda, has approached the party high command to help him come out of this situation.

Contrary to this, the BJP leadership, which had cold-shouldered Reddy Brothers since Janardhan Reddy was arrested by Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), suddenly extended support to the Reddys. When D V Sadananda Gowda and Eshwarappa came to Jindal area at Toranagal, Bellary on Friday, MLA, Somashekhar Reddy, came with a large gathering of fans and extended them a warm welcome. Later, CM and Somashekhar Reddy were closeted in a secret meeting for about 20 minutes. It is said that during the discussions, Reddys have promised that they as well as Sriramulu will continue to be part of BJP, and sought help from the government to counter the CBI moves. Jagadish Shettar was also present.

There are reports that Sriramulu, who is in New Delhi, met many central leaders and sought forgiveness for past mistakes, and sought their support for his continuance in the party.  Sriramulu has decided to withdraw his resignation and also shelve the move to form a new party, it is gathered.

It is expected that during the CM’s visit to New Delhi, BJP national president, Nitin Gadkari and others will raise their voices against the CBI. It is said that strategies are being chalked out by the BJP to join hands with Reddys to defeat Congress designs in the state.