BSY planned new party
Plans for ‘announcing the launch of Karnataka Janata Party’—which bears an uncanny resemblance to the Karnataka Congress Party formed by former CM S. Bangarappa in 1994— were suddenly shelved by loyalists of B.S. Yeddyurappa on Sunday (March 11) after an all important phone call from New Delhi.
The call also ensured that BSY, who had launched a vitriolic attack on the BJP leadership at his birthday bash that morning, toned down his rhetoric and chanted the unity mantra by the evening. The planned show of strength and the flexing of muscles by the BSY camp simply fizzled out after that.
According to a leader of the BSY camp, the Nehru Grounds in Hubli missed witnessing a historic split of the ruling BJP by a whisker. Soon after the Delhi message came in, BSY dumped his 11-page drafted speech to announce the launch of his new party and hastily churned out a non-controversial one pledging his continued loyalty to the BJP, a party insider said. “Hurt over the constant attacks and the shabby treatment meted out to him by the high command, the former CM had decided to float the new party, but changed his mind after he received a call from party president Nitin Gadkari at the last minute,” said a close confidant of BSY.
“It was not meant to be an ordinary birthday bash or a show of strength but was intended to announce the launch of a new party,” the source added. On Tuesday, the ex-CM, who had vowed never to visit Delhi seeking a position, rushed to the national capital triggering speculation of a rapprochement with the leadership. “Yeddyurappa had a change of heart on the advice of a spiritual leader. The spiritual guru called on him Monday night at around 11.30 pm and convinced him to meet central leaders,” said a source.
The crucial meeting in Delhi on Tuesday will see BSY pressing for his reinduction as CM rather than party state president, said sources, adding, “BSY is keen on tabling a Rs 1 lakh crore Budget which he regards as a crucial milestone for him. As the first BJP chief minister in south India, he had worked hard to present a progressive budget. If the Central leadership lets him down, he may consider scuttling the Budget session. Everything depends on the outcome of the Delhi meeting,” asserted the source. Asked if Yeddyurappa believes his new party if it is formed, can win enough seats to form the new government after the next elections, the source said joining hands with the Congress is one of the options.
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