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Former Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa’s revolt has fizzled out even before the much feared deadline of February 27, which also happens to be his 70th birthday. The tough talk of party national president Nitin Gadkari, virtually showing the door to Yeddyurappa if he wanted to quit, at the recent meeting with the state BJP leaders has proved to be a masterstroke.

Having failed to understand the value of patience in politics, an assertive Yeddyurappa is in total confusion with a few hours remaining for his deadline of February 27 to end. For a man who claimed to have the support of over 60 MLAs, it was shattering to see his flock dwindling to about 30 within hours after Gadkari snubbed him for seeking the ouster of Sadananda Gowda three days ago.

The ploy to use his birthday on Monday (Feb 27) as yet another show of strength to rattle the BJP high command to coerce it to accede to his demand for a ‘suitable’ post, too, is losing sting as most of his ‘loyalists’ have refused to accept any moves to quit the party or split the party. His residence wore a deserted look on Sunday as most of the MLAs preferred to stay away from any activities that would invite further trouble from the high command.

“There is no possibility of taking any harsh decision at the meeting to be held with Yeddyurappa on Monday evening. We all will remain in the party and try to get a suitable post befitting his stature in the party,” MLA Nandish Reddy, a Yeddyurappa loyalist, told DNA.

Sources said Yeddyurappa can count on not more than 15 MLAs if he decides to walk out of the BJP.

A disappointed Yeddyurappa has been forced to start drumming up support for getting the post of state BJP president.

Yeddyurappa is likely to announce his plans for a state tour from March first week to assess his mass base and express his readiness to attend the core committee meeting convened by Gadkari in Delhi on March 3.

With 11 berths in the Sadananda Gowda government remaining vacant and 15 more months of the BJP government’s term remaining, most of the BJP MLAs are nursing hopes
of savouring the fruits of power.

The taint of corruption sticking to the BJP government has dealt a big blow to the hopes of Yeddyurappa loyalists, who were hoping to be re-elected in the next election, and that, possibly, explains the reason for the rapid shrinking of his flock.For now, Yeddyurappa has been disarmed and compelled to announce a truce.