Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)
Bengaluru, Apr 29: Even as there are indications that the BJP central leadership has decided to take control of the situation in Karnataka arising out of the bitter rift between Yeddyurappa, who has been accused of functioning autocratically, and Eshwarappa, who is charged with anti party activities, Yeddyurappa has set into motion an action plan to stop Eshwarappa and national joint secretary of the party, B L Santosh, on their tracks. Yeddyurappa and his supporters strongly feel that Santosh has been supporting activities against Yeddyurappa.
Yeddyurappa has dismissed Mallikarjun, working as computer operator in the state BJP office, accusing him of supporting activities of dissident BJP leaders.
Mallikarjun, who hails from Byadagi in Haveri district, was working in BJP office since about a decade, and was considered very close to Santosh. He has been accused of preparing draft of the pamphlet relating to the meeting convened by party dissidents on Thursday, and of sending emails from BJP office to dissident leaders. At the same time, Yeddyurappa has also been trying to unseat K S Eshwarappa from the position of the leader of the opposition in legislative council. Yeddyurappa has also undertaken visit to New Delhi where he plans to submit a detailed report on the recent developments to party's state in-charge, Muraleedhar Rao, and complain against Santosh to party national general secretary, Ramlal.
Santosh is an activist of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, designated by that organization for the post of BJP national joint general secretary. Therefore, Yeddyurappa feels that veteran leader, Ramlal, who also is from RSS, will be able to exercise some control on Santosh.
Eshwarappa has been indirectly warned of being removed from the position of the leader of the opposition in the council. On Thursday, perhaps sensing this mood, a couple of legislative council members demanded for the ouster of Eshwarappa from this position. Member of the council, D S Veerayya, met Yeddyurappa on Friday on this issue. Yeddyurappa held consultation also with his close aide and MLC, V Somanna. Yeddyurappa feels that pressure tactics being employed by him will work to contain Eshwarappa.