BANGALORE: The BJP’s decision to induct tainted former UP ministers Babu Singh Kushwaha and Badshah Singh, although widely criticised, has given supporters of former CM B S Yeddyurappa reason to further their “cause” of getting a suitable post for their estranged leader.
Yeddyurappa’s supporters who have been making desperate efforts to see their leader’s return as the CM, are questioning the decision to induct tainted leaders when they are rejecting the demands of the Lingayat strongman citing “corruption charges” against him as the reason.
“It is nothing but double-speak. They are rejecting Yeddyurappa’s demands stating that his tainted image would backlash in the Assembly elections in four states, though he is in no way connected to the electorate in those states. But they are inducting leaders who are facing far more serious charges than Yeddyurappa, that too prior to the elections. How one would justify this?” questions a legislator close to Yeddyurappa.
Meanwhile, Yeddyurappa who had earlier planned to go aggressively against the party leadership by taking a state-tour after January 15 to demonstrate his popularity, has decided to go slow on his plans.
The sudden change in Yeddyurappa’s stand was the result of the intervention of state RSS leaders who met him on Tuesday. The RSS leaders are said to have advised Yeddyurappa not to take any hasty decision and wait for the party high command’s final decision which is likely to be out only after the MP elections are over.
The RSS leaders are also said to have instructed Yeddyurappa and state BJP president K S Eshwarappa not to air their differences in the media. Yeddyurappa has assured that he would not take any hasty decision while stating that his tour was not against the party.
Sources close to Yeddyurappa clarified that the former CM will not take any official tour. “His ‘loyal’ MLAs have decided to felicitate him,” they said.