After days of dilly-dallying, the BJP national leadership has finally decided to act tough against ministers and MLAs identifying with former chief minister B S Yeddyurappa.
In a series of meetings that were held throughout Saturday, the party has reportedly decided to take disciplinary action against those who attend the December 9 programme at Haveri where Yeddyurappa will be launching his new party — Karnataka Janata party (KJP). The meeting was held in the presence of Karnataka in-charge of BJP Dharmendra Pradhan, Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar, state BJP president K S Eshwarappa, BJP national general secretary H N Ananth Kumar.
According to sources, the nature of the action depends on the number of ministers and MLAs attending the function. “If less MLAs attend the function, the party may sack them. If the number is more, the party might ask the CM to dissolve the House and go for fresh elections,” sources added.
The party leaders held meetings with ministers, MPs and key party functionaries during which Pradhan has reportedly conveyed the thinking of the party high command in no uncertain words. At the same time, he made a fervent appeal to MLAs and ministers not to desert the party.
Meanwhile, some senior leaders urged the party high command to initiate action against ministers and MPs who have already identified with Yeddyurappa without waiting till December 9. Barring five ministers all ministers attended the meeting. Earlier, BJP state vice president and Mangalore MP Nalin Kumar Kateel told reporters that the meeting thoroughly discussed the recent political developments including Yeddyurappa’s plans to float a new party.
“We all want him (Yeddyurappa) to stay back in the party,” he said while expressing confidence that the Lingayat strongman will remain in the party. It was also decided to organise a booth-level workers convention in all the assembly seats by December end, Kateel said.