Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore (SP)
Bangalore, Mar 20: Senior BJP leader B B Shivappa, who had entered into a truce with chief minister Yeddyurappa after he extracted an assurance from the latter that either Shivappa himself or a person of his choice would be fielded from Hassan constituency on behalf of the BJP, has raised his banner of revolt again. He is disappointed, as the BJP has chosen his bete-noire and long time adversary K H Hanume Gowda as its candidate from Hassan Lok Sabha constituency.
Disgruntled MP Basanagouda Yatnal has already held a round of talks with the Swabhimani Vedike founder and ex-MLA Urimajal Ram Bhat about the future course of action against the ‘original’ BJP activists being overlooked. Shivappa, who had deserted Yatnal's camp with the hope of getting a ticket, has returned to his fold again. Yatnal said, that further course of action would be decided in a couple of days, after holding a meeting of like-minded people. The stated aim of the group will be to bring back the genuine culture of the BJP, of adhering to set principles and respecting senior workers of the party without hankering for power. The main target of these people will be chief minister Yeddyurappa and state BJP president D V Sadanand Gowda, against whom the group members have one or the other grouse. The meeting will be held here on Sunday March 22, it is gathered. Yatnal, who has not been chosen as the party candidate for the Lok Sabha election, has been accusing the state leadership of the party of being intoxicated by both power and money.
In the meanwhile, Hassan BJP district unit has, in a complaint made to the party national president Rajnath Singh, veteran leader L K Advani and chief minister Yeddyurappa has expressed its resentment at the choice of Hanume Gowda as the party candidate from this constituency.
There are indications that the party national leaders Rajnath Singh and Arun Jaitley have patched up their differences and the differences between Yeddyurappa and Anant Kumar have become a closed chapter. The state unit of the BJP is facing fresh revolt from within, from longtime party workers who complain that they are being sidelined in favour of the newcomers.