Cadres want early patch-up between KJP, BJP

Despite repeated utterances by KJP supremo B S Yeddyurappa he would not merge his KJP with the BJP, but would have a tie-up with the NDA to see Narendra Modi as the prime minister, his followers in north Karnataka districts believe it is only a matter of time before the KJP merges with BJP.

"The famous adage that 'there are no permanent enemies and permanent friends in politics' holds good here and it will be a home coming for all those who left BJP to join the KJP," said a Yeddyurappa confidante who returned to the BJP after a stint with the KJP.

It will be a win-win for both the parties (KJP and BJP) and both are looking for a pact to make the merger a honourable affair, said a senior BJP leader.

The staunch supporters of B S Yeddyurappa in north Karnataka are already leaning towards the BJP and some have already left the KJP and joined BJP.

Former Haveri MLA Sureshgouda Patil, C M Nimbannavar of Kalghatagi and others have already joined the BJP.

The latest to join the BJP is former Union minister Basavaraj Patil Yatnal. He has made it clear, his differences with Yeddyurappa are now history. Nimbannavar said, he was still with Yeddyurappa but had to leave the KJP as he felt the party had no future.

He said, he returned to the BJP which is a national party to ensure the development of his constituency Kalghatagi.

Sureshgouda Patil, a leading chilli merchant and former MLA from Haveri had quit the BJP reluctantly to join the KJP, but soon returned to the BJP.

Sources in Haveri said, many more supporters of Yeddyurappa are willing to return to the BJP and expect Yeddyurappa to take a concrete decision.

On his part, Yeddyurappa made it clear in Hubli during the KJP rally on Thursday last week that he was a supporter of Narendra Modi and hence would be part of the NDA.

He also said, he was in favour of an alliance with the BJP on a seat-sharing basis for the Lok Sabha polls and made it clear he would campaign for BJP candidates if the seat-sharing pact works out to his satisfaction.

The move is seen as a prelude to BSY finally aligning with the BJP.

State BJP president Prahlad Joshi and former CM Jagadish Shettar also want the party to be strengthened and are not averse to accepting the conditions laid down by Yeddyurappa.

"From the state unit of the BJP, we have no objection to a re-entry of Yeddyurappa into the BJP fold. We have made this clear to the party high command. The high command has asked the state leaders not to air their opinions in public in this regard. It is for the high command to take a final call," Shettar told Business Standard.

State BJP president Prahlad Joshi indicated it is only a matter of time before things are sorted out.

The local RSS units have their volunteers both in the BJP and KJP, and they expect an early patch up between the two "factions" so that the air is cleared.