B.S. Yeddyurappa to quit BJP on November 7

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In an attempt to put an end to speculation over his decision to quit the BJP, former chief minister B.S. Yeddyurappa is likely to quit as Member of the Legislative Assembly on November 7 or 8.

Sources close to the leader said Mr Yeddyurappa was keen to quit the BJP as well and join the Karnataka Janata Party (KJP) earlier than expected following an unsuccessful trip by his supporters to New Delhi on October 30. His supporters as well as Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar and state unit president K S Eshwarappa had rushed to Delhi to seek the intervention of senior central leaders of the party, but returned empty-handed. Therefore, the former chief minister is likely to quit a day before the executive committee meeting of KJP on November 9. The leader reportedly told his supporters about his decision to part ways early in an effort to end speculation in the media, and to thwart efforts by central leaders for a rapprochement, the sources added.

The former chief minister reportedly felt that loyalist ministers tried their best to lobby for a prominent post for him, Mr Eshwarappa and party organizing secretary Santhosh persuaded central leaders not to give him any position. In all probability, the leader would take a final decision on his resignation at a meeting with loyalist Members of Parliament and legislators on November 6. In case, he puts off a decision on his resignation, former Union minister Dhananjaya Kumar would be nominated interim president of Karnataka Janatha Party on November 9, the sources said.

Confirming the possibility of taking over as interim president of KJP at the executive committee meeting scheduled to be held on November 9, Mr Dhananjaya Kumar said a temporary committee would be formed till Mr. Yeddyurappa’s resignation from BJP to assume charge as president of KJP. Besides, the former chief minister has instructed his camp-followers in BJP to quit the party and join him only after the government headed by Mr Jagadish Shettar completes its term, the sources added.
Earlier, Mr Yeddyurappa had asked ministers and legislators loyal to him to quit their posts and share the dais with him at the launch of the new outfit in Haveri on December 10.

He reportedly changed his mind as his supporters pleaded that such a move would precipitate a crisis and even threaten the stability of Mr Shettar’s government which has a tenure till May next year, the sources added.