BANGALORE: In a show of defiance to the RSS diktat, former chief minister B S Yeddyurappa and his supporters have again started raising the issue of leadership in the state BJP, albeit indirectly.
After a week’s silence, the beleagured former chief minister and two of his staunch followers — Excise Minister M P Renukacharya and Tumkur Rural MLA B Suresh Gowda — on Tuesday raised the issue.
Yeddyurappa, who was in Bijapur district, said that it was the wish of the people to see him as the CM again. However, he was quick to add that it was a matter to be decided by the party high command. “Ever since I stepped down (as CM), I have been receiving overwhelming public support... They want me back as the CM,” he claimed.
In Gulbarga, Renukacharya said that Yeddyurappa would soon return as the CM and the party high command would announce a decision in this regard. “I am confident that the party high command would give a suitable post to Yeddyurappa as he is the topmost leader of the state BJP,” he added.
Meanwhile, Suresh Gowda told reporters in Tumkur that the state government was in existence because of Yeddyurappa and he should be given a suitable post as early as possible.
The Tumkur MLA has organised a programme to fete Yeddyurappa in Tumkur on January 19. When asked if CM D V Sadananda Gowda and state BJP president K S Eshwarappa will attend the programme, he said: “I have invited all state BJP leaders, including Eshwarappa and Sadananda Gowda.”
DVS-BSY Face to Face
Meanwhile, the chief minister and his predecessor Yeddyurappa will come face to face on Wednesday for the first time since the intervention of the RSS leaders last week. Both leaders will share a dais in Beelagi town, the home turf of Industries Minister Murugesh R Nirani in Bagalkot district, over inauguration of various developmental works.