BENGALURU: The fight for political supremacy between the two tall leaders of Karnataka BJP seems to be far from over. While the police suspect political motives behind the alleged kidnap attempt on K S Eshwarappa’s personal assistant Vinay Kumar in May, the Opposition leader’s absence at last week’s party state executive meet is being seen as a reflection of the rift between him and party state president B S Yeddyurappa.As an embarrassed party’s state general secretary Shobha Karandlaje said the absence should not be blown out of proportion, a report on the ‘Vistarak’ outreach programme has concluded that the rift has caused a setback to the party.
“It is festival time and Eshwarappa could be busy in puja rituals. Some of the leaders are also away in Davangere to attend the engagement ceremony in the family of MP G M Siddeshwar,” she said.Police are now trying to ascertain whether a tiff between the aides of both sides led to the alleged kidnap attempt and if the leaders are involved. The existence of a CD, allegedly containing information on a BJP leader, can complicate matters.