Yeddyurappa convenes meeting of loyalists

Yeddyurappa has been contending that the BJP central leadership should fulfil its promise to reinstate him as the Chief Minister since it had assured him that it would act on its assurance once the High Court quashes an FIR filed against him in an illegal mining case.

On March 8,the High Court cleared him in the case.

The BJP Central leadership had forced Yeddyurappa to quit in July 2011 after he was indicted by the Lokayukta report on illegal mining that had caused a political storm in the state.

The meeting assumes significance as Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda is all set to present his first budget on March 21.

State BJP President K S Eshwarappa’s statement that the party was ready for snap polls added fuel to the speculation of change of guard. He,however,later clarified that he was talking about referring to mid-term general election.

Sources said Yeddyurappa and some of his supporters would visit Delhi tomorrow to hold discussions with BJP President Nitin Gadkari on leadership issue.

They also said Eshwarappa and Gowda are likely to visit Delhi and brief the party top brass regarding the developments in the party.

Eshwarappa has dismissed reports on change of guard as nonsense.

Meanwhile,Municipal Administration Minister Bhalachandra Jarkiholi today threatened to resign along with 19 other legislators if infighting over leadership issue was not put to an end.

“If the infighting in the party does not end,I,along with nineteen other legislators,will tender resignation,” he told reporters.

“We will inform Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda and State Party President K S Eshwarappa about our resignation and hand over letter in this regard to Governor H R Bhardwaj,” he added.

The BJP central leadership wants Gowda to present the budget and internal bickerings were hurting the party and party members,he said. “There is no question of change of leadership,” he added.

Jarkiholi also said Gowda should be allowed to complete his term as he was performing well.