Former Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa,who has almost burnt his bridges with the BJP, is reportedly assessing his supporting base, particularly in North Karnataka. According to sources close to him, the former Chief Minister has begun contacting his old associates who had distanced themselves from the BJP for one reason or the other and is hoping for support from sitting MLAs and ministers from North Karnataka.
Mr Yeddurappa is believed to be banking on loyalist ministers, Shobha Karndlaje, Umesh Katti, Raju Gowda, S.K. Bellubbi, Revunaik Belamagi, V. Somanna, M.P. Renukacharaya and C.M. Udasi as well as former ministers C.C. Patil and Laxman Sawadi. While he is almost assured of support from MLAs, B.P. Harish, Suresh Gowda, M.D. Laxminarayana, Siddu Sawadi, Karadi Sanganna, D.S.Suresh, K. Laxminarayana and H.Halappa, Mr Yeddyurappa is said to be looking for support from a few former MLAs and MLCs too.
He is particularly looking to win over MLAs disappointed with the party's state leadership, and is trying to convince Mudigere MLA, M.P. Kumaraswamy, former MLA of Kundapura, Haladi Shrinivasa Shetty who have distanced from the party after failing to get Cabinet berths to come over to his side, according to sources.
But ministers Basavaraj Bommai, C.M. Udasi and Murgesh Nirani are still reportedly confused over whether to join the former Chief Minister or remain with the BJP.