Public spat of senior leaders overshadows BJP executive meet

A sense of uneasiness engulfed the BJP leaders at the two-day state executive meeting of the Karnataka party unit here, in the backdrop ofthe public spat between senior party leaders Yeddyurappa andEshwarappa.
Though both leaders shared the stage on the inaugural day of the meeting today, they remained far away from each other.
Yeddyurappa refused to acknowledge Eshwarappa as the latter greeted him on stage.
Eshwarappa attended the executive despite reports that he would give the event a miss.
Union ministers Ananth Kumar, Sadananda Gowda, Ramesh Jigajinagi, party's state in-charge Muralidhar Rao and D Purandeshwari were present at the meeting, wherethey spoke about installing a BJP government inKarnataka, by winning more than 150 seats.

The leaders also emphasised on the need to work together in achieving this goal.

Eshwarappa is fighting against B S Yeddyuappa's style of functioning as state unit chief.
Resentment has been brewing within the party following the appointment of party office-bearers by Yeddyurappa and "ignoring" loyal workers and the old guard of the party.
It had intensified into a factional feud on April 27, when Eshwarappa held a convention to "save" the organisation indefiance of Yeddyurappa.
In an attempt to quell the rebellion, the high command had issued a diktat and relived two office bearers, from both Eshwarappa and Yeddyurappa camps, from the party responsibility.

Speaking at the meet, Yeddyurappa said he had never "stuck to the chair" and working for the party's success was moreimportant for him.
He said that he along with other BJP leaders would tour alldistricts in the coming days in an attempt tostrengthen the party across the state.
According to those present at the meeting, lack of interest among party functionaries towards the executive and its proceedings was clearly visible because of the recent developments.
They said that at one point Yeddyurappa had to request theattendees to clap and participate in the proceedings with spirit.