Date:28/11/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/11/28/stories/2007112850110100.htm

Front Page

Trouble brewing in BJP

B.S. Satish Kumar

Visit of three former Ministers to Delhi sets off speculation

BANGALORE: A fresh bout of trouble seems to have cropped up in the Bharatiya Janata Party State unit at a crucial time when it is trying to generate public sympathy through its Janajagruthi campaign against what it terms political betrayal.

Three former Ministers and senior party leaders, K.S. Eshwarappa, Jagadish Shettar and D.H. Shankaramurthy, left for Delhi suddenly on Tuesday to meet central party leaders even as all the important leaders of the party are busy with the campaign that entered the second day.

Though the three leaders maintained that were in Delhi to discuss ways and means of strengthening the party, speculation is rife in party circles that they have complaints against the State party leadership.

What has set off the speculation is the fact that the three have kept themselves away from the party’s Janajagruti campaign that was launched on Monday. Sources in the BJP State unit said that the three had been requested personally by top party leaders to attend the campaign.

According to sources, these leaders are of the view that they are not being consulted by the State unit before important decisions are taken. In fact, Mr. Eshwarappa and Mr. Shettar met the party’s central leaders and reportedly conveyed their displeasure just the day before Mr. Yeddyurappa was scheduled to seek a vote of confidence as Chief Minister. They had appealed to the central leadership to ensure that the party did not give in to the demand of the Janata Dal (Secular) to sign the conditions set by that party.

The relationship between Mr. Yeddyurappa and Mr. Eshwarappa is said to have soured of late. Mr. Eshwarappa was not part of the BJP’s team of Ministers that took oath in the first instalment along with Mr. Yeddyurappa.

When contacted by The Hindu, Mr. Eshwarappa ruled out any dissident activity. He said he had gone to Delhi along with Mr. Shettar and Mr. Shankaramurthy only to discuss some recent developments, including the steps to be taken to strengthen the party for the coming elections.

“We met central party leaders Rajnath Singh and L.K. Advani and had detailed discussions with them on the forthcoming elections,” he said.