L K Advani yatra: Yeddyurappa not welcome

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Facing stiff opposition from the Sangh Parivar and his rivals in the state BJP— party chief K.S. Eshwarappa and national general secretary, Ananth Kumar — former chief minister B.S. Yeddyurappa may find it none too easy to join L.K. Advani’s rath yatra when it enters Karnataka on October 31.

Ananth Kumar is the convenor of the Jan Chetan Yatra, led by Mr Advani.

The party core committee which had discussed the preparations for the rath yatra, assigned responsibilities to officer bearers but put off a decision on who should accompany Advani. The core committee also evaded a decision on Yeddyurappa’s participation in the yatra, said sources.

If the party takes a formal decision on prohibiting Yeddyurappa from participating in the yatra, there is a possibility of him creating a scene, said sources, adding that the core committee discussed this possibility and how to tackle the situation.

The party is trying its best to keep Yeddyurappa away from the yatra as it feels his presence would be a huge embarrassment considering the scams he is allegedly involved in. “The yatra is championing corruption free administration which is why the party wants to keep Yeddyurappa away from it. They feel that this will give the Opposition a godsend opportunity to ridicule the yatra and Mr Advani too,” said sources.

There are some leaders who feel that if the court rejects his bail petition, it would be a blessing in disguise for them as he would not be able to participate in the yatra. During the two-day yatra in the coastal belt, the leaders intend to focus on the need for clean governance. The issue of bringing black money stashed abroad to India will also be highlighted, the source said.

The party has entrusted the responsibility of organizing the rath yatra in Karnataka to Mangalore MP Nalin Kumar Katil. In the state, four public meeting will be held at Mangalore, Udupi, Ankola and Honnavar on October 31 and November 1.

Besides eight other meetings and three press meets have also been planned.