Causing much embarrassment to Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar on his home turf, at least six legislators, two ministers and most MLCs of the undivided Dharwad district pledged their support for B.S. Yeddyurappa after he resigned from the Legislative Assembly and primary membership of the party on Friday.
KJP leaders who have made all arrangements for a minority community convention in Hubli on December 2, claimed that at least eight or 10 corporators of the Hubli-Dharwad Municipal Corporation, and several leaders of other political parties too would join it on Sunday. In a further setback to Mr Shettar, the Haveri BJP district president and MLC Somanna Bevinmarad, a staunch supporter of Deputy CM K. S. Eshwarappa, were left isolated as the entire unit of the party joined the KJP soon after Mr Yeddyurappa's resignation.
“Elected representatives of various local bodies in Haveri will also resign in the next few days and the entire BJP district unit will participate in the convention to launch the KJP on Dec. 9,” Haveri KJP president, Kotreshappa Kori said. Mr Yeddyurappa is hoping to win over more Muslims in the Lingayat dominated area, said sources.