Bangalore: Fissure of Dissidence Deepens in BJP: Somashekhar Reddy Blows Lid

Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore (SP)

Bangalore, Jun 3: The revolt that has been brewing within the BJP since a few weeks against the autocratic style of functioning aggravated on Tuesday June 2, after Bellary MLA Somashekhar Reddy, brother of ministers G Karunkar Reddy and G Janardan Reddy, who are thought to be forming the coterie which is close to the Chief Minister(CM), openly criticized B S Yeddyurappa and the ministers perceived to be close to him, for not taking MLAs into confidence. The statement, coming in the wake of outbursts of energy minister Eshwarappa against the CM’s remarks and warning from Basanagouda Yatnal, expelled BJP leader that days of the Chief Minister are numbered, appear to be a part of the well-planned strategy to oust the CM, who is branded by many as autocratic, arrogant and not amenable.

To add to the chagrin of the CM, MLA Beloor Gopalakrishna has demanded for dropping of minister Haratal Halappa over the reduced margin of victory in Shimoga Lok Sabha constituency.

Speaking to reporters at Bellary, MLA Somashekhar Reddy said that the discriminatory tactics of the Chief Minister have of late, become unbearable and unacceptable. "The Chief Minister has totally neglected me as well as several ministers of his cabinet. I am not being invited to any of the programmes. I was not even extended an invitation for the first anniversary celebrations of the government held here recently," he fumed.

Reddy's statemenet has come in the wake of energy minister K S Eshwarppa's statement, calling for an investigation into allegations of distribution of money and liquor during the Lok Sabha election by the BJP that has tarnished its image and affected its vote bank. The fact that the dissidents are voicing their opinions at a time when Yeddyurappa wants to bank on his success in sending higher  number of BJP MPS than any other state and thereby rise to the national stature, appear to be part of a well-planned strategy aimed at unseating him.

In the meanwhile, MLA Beloor Gopalakrishna has chipped in with his demand for the dropping of Haratal Halappa, first time MLA from Sorab, who was rewarded with a berth in the state cabinet for ending the stronghold of Bangarappa family on the constituency. Taking cue from the Chief Minister's earlier statement expressing displeasure at the reduced margin of victory in Shimoga constituency, he said Halappa should be held responsible for the party's poor performance and hence his head should roll.  The BJP leadership will be in a fix with this demand, as the Chief Minister himself invited trouble by raking up the issue of reduced margin of victory in Shimoga. Gopalakrishna pointed out that the party had secured 6,000 additional votes in his own assembly constituency, Sagar, which is adjacent to Sorab, as compared to previous year.

Gopalakrishna however, spared the Chief Minister any blushes, by praising him for having sanctioned lot of funds for the development of Shimoga district. His ire has been directed at Halappa alone.

The BJP leadership, which has always taken pride in the fact that the party has a well-oiled internal democracy and discipline, is sure to be in a dilemma with Eshwarappa's statement appearing to open a can of worms, with more legislators expected to voice their pent-up displeasure at the CM in the coming days, unless the party and the Chief Minister mend their ways and defuse the situation.

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