Undeterred by Chief Minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda giving vent to his frustration and even threatening to quit, the BJP top brass is giving shape to a plan to ensure its first government in the South does not collapse because of differences on the leadership issue.
Upset over Mr Yeddyurappa’s boycott of the Udupi-Chikmagalur parliament by-poll campaign and his persistent demands for reinstatement as CM, the BJP leadership top brass has decided to buy time by telling him to wait till March 19 when the poll process will be over. Behind the scenes, senior BJP leaders are working on a plan to ensure the party stays in power even if Mr Yeddyurappa walks out with his supporters.
Sources in the party said that with the top brass in a mood to heed his pleas for the CM post, the only option left is to issue him a stern message—Remain in the party post or not post or do what he wants. "Before this message is sent to Yeddyurappa, the central leadership would like to know if the state BJP can ensure the survival of the government in such a situation. Once the state unit gives its nod, BSY will be virtually shown the door," sources said adding that the emphasis will be on cobbling together a simple majority in the Assembly.
“The strategy is to ensure that the minimum number of BJP legislators join BSY if he decides to quit. Our assessment is that only 10 MLAs may go with him as the others would not risk losing their membership of the House and the party tag. In a 224 strong House, the BJP needs the support of 113 members to prove its majority. Even if the party loses the support of 10 legislators and is reduced to a strength of 110, it can cling on to power with the support of the six Independent members,” sources explained.