Dissidents set for a showdown against Yeddyurappa

Following the visit of chief minister BS Yeddyurappa to Delhi on Tuesday to explain his position to the party leadership, it is now the turn of dissident BJP leaders led by state president KS Eshwarappa to head to the national capital.

The state BJP chief along with ministers Janardhana Reddy, SA Ramdas, Govind Karjol, Aravind Limbavali and party spokesperson CT Ravi will leave for Delhi on Thursday  and join BJP national secretary Ananth Kumar and rural development and panchayat raj minister Jagadeesh Shettar, who are already camping in Delhi.

Sensing trouble on the rebels’ move, Yeddyurappa convened a meeting of the ministers at 11 am on Thursday at his official residence.

The dissidents are expected to meet party national president Nitin Gadkari and other senior leaders to  explain the ground realities in the party. Confirming the Delhi trip, Eshwarappa said, “Several ministers and MLAs have conveyed their grievances against the chief minister to me. We will take it up with the party national leaders.”

Prisons minister Narayanaswamy said he will attend Yeddyurappa’s meeting.

Higher education minister, VS Acharya said “Like in any other party, there are differences in our party also. The party high command has asked the chief minister to sort out the issues and carry on with his development agenda. He has the capacity to sort them out and work for the good of the state. Leaders are free to complain to the party high command,” he said.

“This crisis will not hamper the development of the state. Yeddyurappa will complete his five-year term,” Acharya added.