Former Karnataka chief minister B.S. Yeddyurappa is reportedly pulling out all stops to prevent incumbent chief minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda from filing his nominations for the Legislative Council on Monday.
If Mr Sadananda Gowda, who has been asked by the party chiefs to file his nominations as directed, goes ahead, it will close the last window of opportunity before BSY to make a comeback.
In a move described by some within the BJP as nothing short of “blackmail” of the central party leaders, Mr Yeddyurappa has reportedly given Mr Gowda until Sunday to persuade the BJP to re-appoint him the chief minister or make him the state party chief. Failing which, he has reportedly threatened to break the party.
“Mr Yeddyurappa has cited the example of Union home minister P. Chidambaram who has not resigned in spite of his name being dragged into the 2G scam. If Mr Chidambaram can continue, why shouldn’t BSY?” the Lingayat strongman’s supporters said.
Mr Gowda has reportedly already signed the nomination papers.