Ayanur, Dhananjay sacked

The BJP has sent a strong message to former chief minister B S Yeddyurappa by sacking two of his loyalists from key positions in the party and the government.

And indications are that more of his loyalists heading various boards and corporations will be shown the door in the coming days. In all, 48 chairpersons, a majority of them Yeddyurappa supporters, will be replaced, a source in the BJP said.

On Saturday, Rajya Sabha member Ayanur Manjunath was fired from the post of  state unit spokesman. While no reason was given for his removal, his remarks against Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar and his Deputy R Ashok a few days ago are believed to have prompted the action.

Former union minister of state V Dhananjay Kumar was sacked as Karnataka’s Delhi representative. Again, no reason was given. Kumar was replaced by BJP loyalist Baikanakere Nagesh.

Yeddyurappa had embarrassed the party in the last few days with blistering attacks on leaders and the government.

Yeddyurappa had demanded party president and Deputy Chief Minister K S Eshwarappa’s resignation from the Cabinet. The former chief minister had even said he will not hesitate to quit the party if the situation so demanded.

An aspirant for the party president’s  post, Yeddyurappa had raised the attack ahead of the BJP National Executive Meet on September 27 to attract the attention of national leaders.

It is unlikely that the BJP will take any action against Yeddyurappa fearing a backlash from the Lingayats who form the  largest community in the state electorate.