Concerned over the serious differences between State unit leaders K.S. Eshwarappa and B.S. Yeddyurappa, the BJP central leadership is learnt to have decided to intervene in the matter after January 20.
According to a prominent leader, there is a likelihood of the central leadership summoning either both or one of them to Delhi to discuss the issue. It is learnt that the central leadership is concerned over the “indirect war of words” between the two leaders as that is bound to affect the party’s image.
Mr. Eshwarappa’s act of mentoring Sangolli Rayanna Brigade, an apolitical forum for organising the backward classes and Dalits, has not gone down well with Mr. Yeddyurappa who has been maintaining that such an activity should be taken up under the party forum. This, however, has not deterred Mr. Eshwarappa from identifying himself with the brigade’s activities.
The differences between the two leaders has now reached a flashpoint, with Mr. Eshwarappa saying that the brigade’s intention is to organise the backward classes and Dalits rather than making Mr. Yeddyurappa the next Chief Minister.
The party suspended Mr. Eshwarappa’s supporter and former Bengaluru Mayor D. Venkatesh Murthy, who is also general secretary of the brigade, ahead of a meeting scheduled here. However, Mr. Eshwarappa not only attended the meeting but also declared that he would continue to be associated with the brigade’s activities.
