The BSY tea party: Brewing up a storm again

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As part of his relentless campaign to reclaim the post of chief minister, and augment the number of his supporters in the house, former chief minister, B.S. Yeddyurappa has decided to host a tea party on March 30 at his home, for party MLAs and all ministers.

“The chief minister was supposed to host a tea for party MLAs. Since he is not doing it, our leader has planned to host a tea for all the MLAs, MLCs and ministers,” sources said. With Friday’s tea party, Mr Yeddyurappa is likely to set the tone for the political drama which could unfold post the budget session, more so as party national president, Nitin Gadkari starts a consultation process with both camps, to resolve the Karnataka leadership crisis.

The BSY camp believes that Mr Yeddyurappa would be reinstated as after the UP elections, the central leaders realised they could not rule out the possibility of emergence of a Third Front. “To prevent regional parties, like Janata Dal (S) in Karnataka which may join the Third Front, and gain an upper hand in BJP-ruled states, the central leadership will reinstate Mr Yeddyurappa,” sources said. Would BSY accept the party president post? “I do not think the high command would indulge in such a misadventure and cause a split,” sources said.

The BSY camp felt that none of the 70 MLAs, who were with him when he quit the CM post, deserted him. “What happened to the late Devaraj Urs, when he quit the post? Look at all the former chief ministers when they stepped down. Unlike them, BSY has kept his 70 MLAs intact even after being out of office for six months. The party high command has realised this. He will be CM after April first week.”