Battle for CM: Top guns in Delhi

Mar 22, 2012 |

Bengaluru/New Delhi

Although beleagured Chief Minister Sadananda Gowda was spared the blushes of a boycott by the B.S. Yeddyurappa camp over his maiden budget session, the growing differences between the two groups is expected to spill into the open when party president Nitin Gadkari convenes a late night meeting with the Lingayat strongman, who arrived in the national capital on Wednesday night.

Catching a special flight at 10 pm was Mr Gowda who is accompanied by law minister Suresh Kumar, state party president K.S. Eshwarappa and Govind Karjol, SC leader from north Karnataka. Before boarding the special flight, Mr Sadananda Gowda said he was going to Delhi on the invitation of central leaders, adding: “Party national president Nitin Gadkari assured me that there is no change of chief minister.”

Also summoned by Mr Gadkari is BSY-baiter Balachandra Jarkiholi, who met Karnataka Governor H.R. Bhardwaj on Wednesday and said if BSY was reinstated as CM, he, alongwith nine legislators would withdraw support to the government, reducing its strength from 120 to 110, thereby placing it in a minority. Mr Jarkiholi arrives in New Delhi on Thursday.

Sources said Mr Yeddyurappa was expected to meet Mr Gadkari and leader of the opposition in the Rajya Sabha, Arun Jaitley Wednesday night. “We do not know why we have been called to Delhi. If we are asked, we will put forth our demand-reinstatement of Mr Yeddyurappa as chief minister,” the source said.

Before leaving for Delhi, Mr Yeddyurappa told reporters, “Party central leadership has invited me to come to Delhi for discussion on leadership issue. Whatever decision that the party high command takes, I will abide by that. I will not demand for change of leadership.”

Defending his decision to up the ante, he said, “I went to the resort along with MLAs, because some leaders misled our central leaders by saying I do not enjoy the support of even 30 MLAs. To demonstrate my strength I took the MLAs who support me to the resort.” Sources said BSY was ready to accept the post of party President to lead BJP in 2013 elections.

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