Is beleaguered former Karnataka chief minister, Mr B.S. Yeddyurappa, on a comeback trail as chief of the state unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party?
Speculation is rife about his return after the leader met party president Nitin
Gadkari and senior central leaders in New Delhi to negotiate an elevation in the party hierarchy. He also managed a show of strength by hold a meeting with members of Parliament from the state at Karnataka Bhavan. The landslide victory of former minister-turned-Independent B. Sreeramulu in the recent bypoll at Bellary came up for discussion with senior leaders with sources hinting of his return to the Cabinet.
The party, however, insisted that it was a courtesy visit by Mr Yeddyurappa after he walked free from prison on November 8.
Evidently, Mr Gadkari agreed to the meeting after concerns that Mr Yeddyurappa could join hands with Union minister and NCP supremo Sharad Pawar to pose a serious threat for the BJP in Karnataka and Maharashtra.
The Congress would gain most from such a union in two key states, according to a senior leader.
Sources close to Mr Yeddyurappa said he embarked on such a trip as few well-known astrologers, including the seer at Kodimath in Hassan district, forecast a bright future after January 14, 2012.