MYSURU: The differences between BJP state president B S Yeddyurappa and Leader of Opposition in Council K S Eshwarappa continued to persist during the state BJP Executive meet which got off to a start here on Saturday.
Though BJP leaders persuaded Eshwarappa to participate in the meet to project an ‘all is well’ picture in the party, the exercise appeared to have turned futile as the two warring leaders continued to exhibit animosity at the meet.
This was evident when Yeddyurappa, who was presiding over the meet, didn’t bother to formally greet Eshwarappa when he came to the dais to join the other leaders. It was only Union Minister Ananth Kumar who shook hands with Eshwarappa and received him with a broad smile.
Yeddyurappa also avoided taking the names of Eshwarappa and Jagadish Shettar and referred them as opposition leaders in both the Houses.
Meanwhile, Eshwarappa, who has been accusing Muralidhar Rao of acting at the behest of Yeddyurappa, walked out of the dais on the pretext of attending a phone call when Rao started his address. He returned to dais only after Rao completed his speech.
Yeddyurappa and Eshwarappa did not see face to face at the meet and also during the tea break. Both leaders sat at different tables. Yeddyurappa had tea with Muralidhar Rao, Ananth Kumar, Sadananda Gowda and others, while Eshwarappa, seated on another table, spent time with Pratap Simha and others.
Eshwarappa was also not given an opportunity to address the gathering.
A BJP leader, pleading anonymity, said the party leadership should resolve the issue at the earliest to boost the morale of party men.
State-wide tour to bring OBCs, dalits to party fold
Yeddyurappa announced a 45-day state tour to bring backward communities and dalits to the party fold. He said the leaders will visit all districts and meet leaders to persuade them to join the BJP.
Clarifying that he did not hanker for power and went to the people when JD(S) refused to share power, the BJP strongman said the party will go to the people and expose the failures of Congress on all fronts.
Alleging that law and order has collapsed in the state, Yeddyurappa charged that the state has recorded 6,521 murders during the Congress rule. He said a survey has branded the Karnataka government ‘most corrupt’ and alleged that the government is busy transferring bureaucrats.
Referring to BJP losing bypolls in Nanjangud and Gundlupet constituencies, Yeddyurappa said they will learn from the mistakes and claimed that the BJP secured 46 per cent of votes in Gundlupet and 43 per cent in Nanjangud.