BANGALORE: In an effort to mount pressure on the party high command, former chief minister B S Yeddyurappa has decided to embark on a state tour after January 15. Yeddyurappa, who is unsure whether his party bosses will heed his demand for a “suitable post”, is ready with his plans, and the state-tour is one of them.
According to the plan, Yeddyurappa will criss-cross the state and elicit people’s opinion on his future course of action. His tour is expected to culminate in a huge gathering at Kudalasangama in Bagalkot taluk, where his supporters will felicitate him. His focus will be on the Lingayat-dominated areas.
Before the tour, he is also expected to make a show of his strength by leading a delegation of “loyal” MLAs and ministers to Delhi.
According to sources close to him, Yeddyurappa, who plans to float his own outfit or join another party if his party bosses fail to meet his demands, wants to gauge his popularity before taking a final decision. “This tour will help him decide on his future. If people turn up in large numbers, then he can utilise it to his advantage. The leadership may heed to his demand,” a minister said, adding that Yeddyurappa’s tour depends on what stand the party high command takes on his demands.
But it remains to be seen if the party will let him undertake the tour.
Yeddyurappa’s planned tour after he was asked to step down, following his indictment in the Lokayukta report, was shot down by party leaders.
Meanwhile, Yeddyurappa is also said to have decided not to take any hasty decision at least till the UP elections are over, even if the party rejects his demands. “Aware that regional parties have no place in Karnataka politics, he wants to tread cautiously,” an MLA said.