As Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa musters support from “Lingayat” seers and within the BJP legislative party, the BJP central leadership explores options before it to settle succession line in the State without having to annoy the Lingayat strongman.
A day before BJP general secretary Arun Singh embarks on a three-day probing mission to Bengaluru, Yeddyurappa has painted a “united” picture of BJP Karnataka unit saying “there is no confusion in the State BJP on the issue of leadership”.
To fortify his position, the Chief Minister has also drawn strong backing from influential 17 seers of Lingayat mutts in the State who carry a lot of political weight.
Irrespective of the Chief Minister’s assertion, Singh, who is Karnataka-in-charge, has been tasked to consult various factions and “explore” possible alternative in the State.
Interestingly, Singh granted Hubballi-Dharwad (West) MLA Arvind Bellad, who is identified with the anti-Yedyurappa camp, an audience in Delhi on Monday before starting his Karnataka visit. Bellad asked Singh to suggest the Chief Minister to call a legislative party meet immediately to settle all contentious issues, including that concerning the leadership.
The BJP central leadership has been on a consultation spree with the visiting Karnataka leaders. Union Home Minister Amit Shah also met with Murugesh Nirani, Karnataka Minister for Mines and Geology, here last week. Nirani, known to be close to Shah, is a sugar and cement baron in the State.
According to reliable sources, Nirani, a “Lingayat” leader with quite political heft is among those considered as alternative to Yeddyurappa.
Union Parliamentary Minister Prahlad Joshi, a Brahmin, State rural and Panchayat Raj Minister K S Eshwarappa, a backward “Kurba” and a long-time critic of Yeddyurappa , are also in the line to succeed the incumbent Chief Minister.
Singh is scheduled to meet Cabinet Ministers and MLAs. He is also expected to take part in the State BJP core committee meeting.
According to sources, the BJP general secretary will hold consultations with the dissident leaders, including tourism Minister CP Yogeshwar and Bellad, who have repeatedly visited Delhi last month, demanding the ouster of Yeddyurappa.
Singh will also participate in the State core committee meeting.