More trouble seems to be brewing for the BJP in Karnataka. After its former minister B. Sreeramulu decided to contest the Bellary bypoll as an Independent candidate, former chief minister B.S. Yeddyurappa is likely to embark on a state-wide yatra from next week.
Mr Yeddyurappa, out on a bail in a graft case, is expected to visit every district “explaining” people about the graft cases “fabricated” against him. Sources disclosed as soon as the Karnataka high court gives its orders, reserved for November 15, on Mr Yeddyurappa’s anticipatory bail plea in connection with private complaints against him, the former CM will begin the yatra, whose title is yet to be decided.
Party sources said Mr Yeddyurappa, who was forced by the party top brass to relinquish his post over the Lokayukta report, is seething after senior party colleague L.K. Advani virtually admitted that his arrest had embarrassed the party. Mr Yeddyurappa, sources said, will use this opportunity to display show of strength to the BJP top brass. Sulking over the way his party’s top brass treated him after his arrest last month, Mr Yeddyurappa, it was learnt, wants to prove it to the BJP top brass and his dissidents, that he still call the shots in the state.
It could be mentioned that BJP Parliamentary Party chief L.K. Advani had earlier virtually admitted that Mr Yeddyurappa’s arrest in a graft case had left the party embarrassed. Mr Advani had also said that Mr Yeddyurappa was also cautioned by the party over the graft charges against him. Following Mr Advani’s remarks against Mr Yeddyurappa, the latter’s supporters had boycotted Mr Advani’s Janchetna Yatra in Karnataka. Sources disclosed after he was asked to relinquish his post over the Lokayukta’s report on the mining issue which had indicted him, Mr Yeddyurappa had planned to go on a yatra.
But then he was sent into judicial custody in a graft case.
Meanwhile, the BJP named its own candidate for the Bellary bypoll after Mr Sreeramulu quit the state Assembly over his non-induction into D.V. Sadananda Gowda’s Cabinet. Mr Sreeramulu is contesting as an Independent candidate from the seat.