Daijiworld Media Network – Bangalore (SP)

Bangalore, Nov 8: On Monday November 7, K S Eshwarappa, BJP state president and friend-turned-critic of former Chief Minister, B S Yeddyurappa, met the latter at Parappana Agrahara Jail here. While there are speculations about the matters they discussed, some opposition leaders pointed out rules which prohibit meeting of jail inmates on a holiday by people other than ministers and high-ranking officials.

It is clear that Eshwarappa had met Yeddy in jail in an effort to convince him to bring pressure on Sriramulu, who is peeved at the treatment meted out to him during post-Lokayukta report days, to mend his ways and return to the party fold, and contest the Bellary bypoll on BJP ticket. He visited the Sangh Parivar office, and spoke to leaders there, before going to jail with M P Kumar, a Sangh Parivar leader. 

It is learnt that instead of giving any concrete assurance in this respect, Yeddyurappa took Eshwarappa to task for the developments during the visit of national BJP leader, L K Advani, to the city. Apparently, the former CM is angry also at the fact that Eshwarappa chose to ignore him after he was jailed.

Sriramulu has spoken critical of the party, and the ungratefulness of party leaders, who kept him out of the ministry, and then accepted his resignation from the assembly membership without taking into account contributions made by him to bring the party to power in the state.

At present, he does not seem to be in a mood to listen to anybody’s advice. Hence, the BJP state leadership pins hopes on Janardhan Reddy, who is in a jail in Hyderabad, and Yeddyurappa, who is set to be released on bail today. Yeddyurappa’s presence in the poll campaign is sure to kick up the tempo.

It is said that the Sangh Parivar leaders prevailed on Eshwarappa to meet Yeddyurappa, as Sriramulu, who has the backing of several legislators, has the clout to destabilize the state government. Sriramulu’s continued insistence on contesting the election as an independent candidate has been giving sleepless nights to BJP leaders. It is said that he is insistent on getting concrete assurance to take him back into the cabinet once he wins the election. He is expected to meet Janardhan Reddy in jail today to get his advice on his next move.