BJP President Rajnath Warns Dissidents in Karnataka
Bangalore, Aug 2 (DHNS): Simmering discontent and infighting in the State unit of the BJP has prompted party national president Rajnath Singh to affirm that indiscipline in the party won’t be tolerated.
In his opening remarks at the two-day State executive meeting in Bangalore on Saturday, Singh said he was aware of the internal affairs of the State unit, and the party high command wouldn’t compromise on discipline.
During his stay in Bangalore, Singh is said to have gathered information on the fight for oneupmanship between the loyalists of Chief Minister Yeddyurappa and the Reddy brothers of Bellary. Senior leaders of the party also briefed him about the parallel meetings held by the Reddys and their supporters.
He is also said to have ascertained why a section of party leaders had raised objections to the style of chief minister’s functioning. Singh also held interactions with legislators and ministers and is said to have told them that the Central leadership won’t tolerate airing of party’s internal affairs in public. All difference will be sorted out, he assured.
He has also urged all leaders to maintain discipline and informed that the Central leadership would keep a close watch on them. The issue of constitution of a core committee to decide on matters of governance and appointments also came up for discussion but no decision was taken. Later in the evening, Rajnath Singh attended a dinner meeting with Yeddyurappa and his cabinet colleagues at the chief minister’s residence in Dollar’s colony.
“Stay in villages”
Speaking after inaugurating the State executive meeting, Singh suggested that ministers should stay for a few days in villages on a regular basis to connect with the people. “It will help the ministers to understand the ground realities and the grassroots- level problems. The chief minister can consider the suggestion and make it mandatory for the ministers,” he said.
Chief Minister Yeddyurappa said all leaders should actively participate in the membership drive launched by the party. Yeddyurappa said as many as 25,000 new members will be enrolled in his home constituency Shikaripura on August 6. The party has a set a target of 25 lakh membership this year.
‘Yet to make inroads’
BJP State President D V Sadananda Gowda said the party was yet to make inroads into Chamarajanagar, Kolar and several pockets of Hyderabad-Karnataka region. While the State government had made several populist announcements, its implementation was not yet up to the mark. Party workers need to ensure that government programmes reach the beneficiaries, he said.