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The situation in the Karnataka unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party appears to be grim with 21 leaders (9 Members of Legislative Assembly and 12 Members of Parliament) expressing their open support to former chief minister B S Yeddyurappa in case he decides to quit the party.
But what has taken everyone by surprise is the open praise lavished upon Congress president Sonia Gandhi by Yeddyurappa.
"I have to praise Sonia Gandhi. When Sonia Gandhi came to Tumkur for a function, I noticed that the Congress party was not only supportive but also united. If any of their party members get into trouble, they help each other and resolve the problems. But in BJP, people will be waiting for a person to get into trouble, put him down and try to pull the chair from under him and obtain his position," said the former CM
Yeddyurappa claimed that he is very hurt by the recent developments but also expressed confidence that he will tide through the crisis.
He has been rallying his loyalists to step up the pressure against his own party. Yeddyurappa has also demanded that a meeting of the party legislators should be convened immediately. The meeting would give Yeddyurappa a chance to show the party the support he still enjoys.
On Saturday night, seven MLAs tendered their resignations to Yeddyurappa and two more are set to follow suit.
Now, 12 MPs from the Karnataka BJP have decided to show their support for Yeddyurappa.
Karnataka Chief Minister Sadanand Gowda, who downplayed the crisis on Saturday night, is currently in Delhi to participate in the 60th anniversary celebrations of the Parliament. He is likely to return late on Sunday and convene a meeting of the legislators on Monday.
The BJP's top brass is firm about not reinstating Yeddyurappa as the chief minister, but they may give in to his demand for more cabinet berths for his loyalists.
Senior BJP leader Dharmendra Pradhan expressed confidence that Yeddyurappa will not quit the party.
Yeddyurappa, who is facing a number of corruption cases, is also holding consultations with his legal advisors. He has been advised not to pre-judge the issue and seek anticipatory bail right now.
He was told to wait for the Central Bureau of Investigation to make the first move. The CBI is currently investigating alleged irregularities committed by Yeddyurappa during his tenure as Karnataka chief minister in the mining scam, on the recent directive of the Supreme Court.