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ShareNew Delhi: The Karnataka BJP imbroglio defied a solution even at a late, long-drawn-out meeting both factions of the state unit had with senior leaders at LK Advani's residence on Monday. This followed a series of meetings central BJP leaders held with the rebels during the day. The Reddy brothers were adamant on chief minister BS Yeddyurappa's removal while the BJP leadership is unwilling to send out the impression it can bow to money bags and sack its own veteran political leader.
Yeddyurappa has also helped the BJP capture its first southern state, where it also fared well in the Lok Sabha election, winning 19 of the 28 seats. But the Karnataka CM frittered away the gains by antagonising his colleagues, many of them not exactly in the Reddy camp but still wanting to see Yeddyurappa go.
There was a buzz in BJP circles about various compromise formulas being worked out by the central leadership, short of agreeing to change of leadership. These include change of portfolios of ministers, removal of some ministers and officers close to the chief minister and even rolling back of a levy on trucks for flood relief in Bellary region, which has hurt the Reddy brothers' interests.
"With the high command making it clear that there will be no change of guard in the state, Janardhana Reddy is here to bargain for other demands," a senior BJP leader said. So far, however, no agreement could be worked out.
BJP senior leader Arun Jaitley met one of the Reddy brothers -- G Janardhana Reddy -- at the residence of general secretary Ananth Kumar. The power tussle in the saffron party's Karnataka unit saw prolonged negotiations between leaders of rival camps and national leaders on Sunday as well. Around a score of legislators and MPs belonging to both camps -- Yeddyurappa and the Reddy brothers -- are in the capital.
