Yeddyurappa mellows, but maintains pressure on BJP
March 20, 2012 22:07 IST
The B S Yeddyurappa faction, which has been revolting against the Bharatiya Janata Party, has finally agreed to take part in the budget session of the Karnataka assembly.
Basavaraj Bommai, a Yeddyurappa loyalist, confirmed on Tuesday that they would take part in the session and also thanked the high command for listening to them.
This now brings up the issue of Yeddyurappa's demand for chief ministership.
Yeddyurappa will probably leave for New Delhi either on Wednesday or Thursday to hold talks with the party leadership.
Yeddyurappa, who managed to stage a coup with 65 MLAs, could not have given up the fight so easily, especially when none of his demands have been met.
However, sources indicated that Yeddyurappa could not be made the chief minister as of now as he still has corruption cases pending against him.
The party's leadership has made it clear that even if Gowda is changed, Yeddyurappa would not be the one replacing him.
But Yeddyurappa, who is aware of this, is ready to settle for the post of party president.
Although the BJP has not made public the solution to the problem, it is very clear that Gowda would be changed.
In New Delhi, Yeddyurappa is expected to propose that Gowda be replaced with his one time rival, Jagadish Shettar. In order to keep party president K S Eshwarappa in good books, the BJP may make him deputy chief minister, and make Yeddyurappa the state party president.
However, for the party's leadership there would be a lot to think about.
Ideally, the BJP would not want to look weak or send across the message that they buckled to Yeddyurappa.
Vicky Nanjappa
