BANGALORE: The tit-for-tat tactics to out-manoeuvre rival groups in the BJP has gained momentum with leaders supporting Chief Minister D V Sadananada Gowda deciding to organise a felicitation rally to counter similar rallies being organised to fete former chief minister B S Yeddyurappa.
This comes after a series of resort and luncheon meetings and Delhi visits to meet party’s central leaders by the two rival groups.
The latest move to organise rallies to fete the CM was made public by Forest Minister C P Yogeshwar who met Gowda and requested him to accept the honour “for presenting a budget that has created a feel good factor and also for providing good governance”.
But Gowda flatly refused to accept the honour saying it was not the time for celebration. “The state is reeling under drought and people are facing hardships,’’ Yogeshwar said, quoting the CM. Needless to say, this veiled remark by the CM was aimed at his political mentor Yeddyurappa who is attending a series of such rallies.
Now the pro-Gowda team has decided to organise the programme to honour the CM after obtaining permission from the party leadership in April second week, Yogeshwar said.
In Shimoga, accepting the felicitation under the banner “Nammabhimana”, Yeddyurappa continued to target his partymen. “In all respect, I have to change, I need to change, I must change and I will change my political career as I have experienced backstabbing from my fellow politicians of my own party and opposition parties for the last seven months”.
Rightly, party president K S Eshwarappa admitted that there was confusion in the party. “It will not last long. Very shortly we will sort it out,” he stated.