BENGALURU: With voices of dissent getting louder against his style of functioning and the RSS leadership keen to sort out the differences quickly, BJP state president BS Yeddyurappa is in a damage control mode.
Yeddyurappa, who had earlier refused to acknowledge the letter written by 24 party leaders, including five sitting legislators, has agreed to meet them on January 19 to sort out differences.
The BJP second line leaders,including sitting legislators Bhanuprakash, Raghunath, Rao Malkapure, Somanna Bevinamard, Vishweshwara Hegde Kageri and former ministers Sogadu Shivanna and Ravindranath had on January 12 questioned BSY’s style of functioning.
They wrote a letter to Yeddyurappa, alleging that his ‘unilateral decisions’ while appointing party office bearers, district presidents had dealt a blow to the spirit and morale of party workers. Those who served the party for decades were sidelined, they alleged.
The leaders also urged the party national leaders to sort out the differences between Yeddyurappa and senior leader KS Eshwarappa over the issue of Eshwarappa’s association with the Rayannna Brigade.
While Yeddyurappa had refused to comment on the letter, party spokesperson G Madhusudhan questioned the authenticity of the letter. He termed it as an act of mischief mongers.
Yeddyurappa, who had earlier made it clear there was no question of changing the office-bearers, sounded more mellowed on Sunday. He said he is ready for a frank discussion with the group of 24 to address their concerns on January 19. The meeting would be held at BJP state head office at Malleshwaram.
This is apart from the meeting between Yeddyurappa and Eshwarappa to be held under the mediation of RSS leadership in the city on January 17.