CM gets conditional reprieve from party

The BJP today gave a conditional reprieve to Karnataka chief minister B S Yeddyurappa. The chief minister will retain his chair, but will have to rein in his family members from interfering with party work. He will also be told to get more seats in the upcoming taluk panchayat (TP) and zilla panchayat (ZP) elections in Karnataka.

Senior leaders of the BJP have also asked Yeddyurappa to “reform” himself and there should be a “concerted effort” on his part to keep everybody together. The BJP leadership also promised the Karnataka chief minister they would personally speak to people opposed to him (like Anantkumar) at the central leadership to ensure better coordination between the central and state leaders.

“An environment of uncertainty has been created in Karnataka during the past few days due to several allegations being made against B S Yeddyurappa. He has denied the allegations and has offered his response both publicly and to party leaders. After my consultations with senior party colleagues and the state leaders, the party decided to continue B S Yeddyurappa as chief minister. With the TP and ZP elections round the corner, the party appeals to all its leaders and workers to work for the success of the party,” said Nitin Gadkari, the party president.

Sources in the BJP also said the decision to continue with him as chief minister is not final. His performance at the hustings will be a test and he should ensure that the party gets more seats this time.

Soon after Yeddyurappa’s name cropped up for illegally transferring government land in favour of his family members, the core group of the BJP unanimously decided that he should resign. But the chief minister remained defiant and finally managed to buy time.

“There is a strong word of caution for Yeddyurappa. He has been told that everything is not right and that he should set things right. The senior leaders have also assured that they would personally intervene and speak to the factions within the central leadership to ensure no further tussle is created,” said a senior minister from Karnataka who was in Delhi to lobby in support of Yeddyurappa.

Senior leaders of the BJP said that Yeddyurappa got another opportunity because the state assembly has a “razor thin majority” and there was a possibility that the government might fall if he is removed. The central leaders also believe that Yeddyurappa’s control over the lingayat community will help BJP do well in the elections.

Members of the Karnataka cabinet also said that the central leadership feels that Yeddyurappa doesn’t give due respect and audience to them. And he should immediately respond to the needs and ideas of the central members of BJP.

“There is a lot that depends on personal chemistry of the leader. So he has been asked to change his attitude towards the state and central members,” added the Karnataka minister.