Narayana Swamy
Daijiworld Media Network
New Delhi / Bangalore, Mar 19: In what could be a shocking news for former CM of Karnataka B S Yeddyurappa and his army of loyalists, two senior BJP leaders in New Delhi have expressed deep pain and anguish over Yeddyurappa's recent revolt against the party, and are in favour of expelling him from the party, than trying to convince him further.
Yeddyurappa had taken 55 BJP MLAs to Tumkur's Palm Resort on Sunday March 18 evening, claiming that majority of the MLAs were on his side, and demanded his CM chair back as promised by the BJP high command. The Yeddyurappa camp claims that the people of Karnataka voted in favour of BJP, placing their confidence in their leader B S Yeddyurappa. He had to step down from the CM post due to Lokayukta report in last June, but the high command had reportedly promised to reinstate him when charges against him were cleared. Now the Yeddy camp wants the promise to be fulfilled, stating that all charges with regard to Lokayukta report have been cleared by the high court.
Yeddyurappa camp at resort
BJP MPs in Delhi
However, on Monday morning, BJP's top three leaders diplomatically handled the issue in front of the media.
BJP chief Nitin Gadkari, speaking to media persons at Mumbai said that it is true that high court has squashed the cases against Yeddyurappa, but he should have patience. "High command will suitably reward him according to his ability. He should not hurry nor put pressure on the high command. We will not bend to any pressure tactics."
While saying this, he did not rule out the possibility of Yeddyurappa being denied the CM post in the coming days!
Arun Jaitley, another senior leader, who is busy submitting his nomination for Rajya Sabha seat in Gujarat, described the current crisis in Karnataka BJP as 'minor', and not to be taken seriously. "This can happen in any democratic party. The party will internally resolve this."
However, he made it clear that he would not be revealing anything on the party's decision on Yeddyurappa coming back as CM.
"Very soon we will sit together and see that the crisis is solved," he said.
Sushma Swaraj, who is attending parliament session in New Delhi, said that it would take some time to resolve the crisis as some top leaders were away from New Delhi. She expressed her confidence in resolving the crisis, and assured 'justice' to former CM Yeddyurappa when 13 BJP MPs from Karnataka met her and presented a memorandum to her demanding immediate reinstatement of their leader.
Interestingly, two senior leaders in New Delhi have been in constant touch with other top leaders, urging them not to bow to Yeddyurappa's demand as he had tarnished BJP's image.
Sources say L K Advani and Rajnath Singh are these two leaders, who are reportedly unhappy with the ongoing Karnataka crisis.
According to reliable sources, these leaders have discussed the possibility that even if Yeddyurappa were to have the support of 70 MLAs, the figure could drastically come down to 20 if he were expelled, as there is no guarantee that the same MLAs would continue to support him after his expulsion.
Also, both these leaders are reportedly not so keen on staying in power due to this crisis. If there is mid-term election, BJP can sit in opposition if it cannot get the majority. There is no guarantee that Congress or JD(S), if they come to power, will complete five years. In Congress there are at least eight probable CM candidates, and that could put them in trouble. JD(S) in no way can form the government on its own, and even if there is coalition government it won't survive. BJP can then gain strength in the state with a good leader, and come back to power with a thumping majority, feel the two BJP leaders.
Advani and Rajnath Singh also gave the example of Kalyan SIngh and Uma Bharti, as to how they revolted despite being powerful leaders and were cornered later on.
If BJP high command listens to these two leaders, then there could be serious political crisis in Karnataka, and mid-term poll would be the only way to come out of the instability.