For those who thought that former CM B.S. Yeddyurappa was a content man after his nominee, Jagadish Shettar, was chosen Chief Minister, this could come as a shock of sorts. Sources said Mr Yeddyurappa is being coaxed by the Opposition Congress to ensure an implosion in the ruling BJP well before the 2013 Assembly polls, and is not averse to the idea if things do not go his way In fact, BSY has already held three rounds of meetings with Congress leaders but has reportedly decided to wait for some time before going all the way and making the big announcement on quitting the party.
According to the sources, Mr Yeddyurappa told those negotiating with him that he will take a decision after seeing the final investigation report to be submitted by the CBI to the Supreme Court on his involvement in an alleged quid pro quo deal for doling out mining favours. He is also keenly watching who the BJP top brass choses as state BJP chief—a coveted post with the nominee likely to play a prime role in Assembly ticket distribution.
The feedback he gets during his state-wide tour if the high court relaxes his bail conditions, will determine which way he goes—stay in the BJP or part ways with the party, the sources said, adding that if the latter happens, he may float his own outfit rather than join a mainstream party.
The hush-hush meeting of Congress leaders with the BJP strongmen, reportedly happened after he was granted anticipatory bail by the Karnataka high court on June 21 in the case registered by the CBI against him. The two Congress leaders who met him—Union minister of state for railways K.H. Muniyappa and Mr Sachidananda Swamy— are on good terms with the former CM which became evident when Mr Muniyappa went to the extent of publicly praising BSY’s stint in power. Though he did invite a few brickbats from his partymen at that time, sources said the Congress high command has deployed him to strike a deal with the former CM to help the party romp to power in the 2013 elections.
After the first meeting in the last week of June at the residence of a minister considered a close aide of Mr Yeddyurappa, the second meeting took place in July first week, just five days before Jagadish Shettar took oath as CM. This reportedly happened at the Dollars Colony residence of BSY in the city. The third meeting was held on July 31 at an undisclosed location in Bengaluru, said sources.
All three secret meetings were held after 8 pm and went on till 11 pm, indicating that both BSY and the Congress were serious about bringing about a realignment in state politics. Mr Yeddyurappa and Mr Muniyappa arrived in private cars for the meetings to avoid suspicion, said sources. As per the understanding, if Mr Yeddyurappa quits the BJP and forms an outfit, the Congress will strike a post-poll alliance with the new party instead of a pre-poll pact, the sources added.