Former chief minister B.S. Yeddyurappa is all set to begin his state tour on Monday to assess his popularity and to chalk out his future plans after being forced out of office five months ago.
The big question is whether he has the backing of the ruling BJP for his tour with party state president K.S. Eshwarappa saying that the BJP was yet to chalk out the tour programme.
Mr Yeddyurappa’s statement in Hubli on Sunday gave enough indications that he was not ready to wait till the party came up with a tour plan. He however played it safe saying he would embark on the state tour with chief minister Sadananda Gowda and Mr Eshwarappa. Mr Eshwarappa said due to the RSS meeting at Hubli on January 30, the party would not be able to organise any other programme now adding, “Within a couple of days, we will finalise the tour programme”.
“Due to time constraints and pre-scheduled programmes, we have not able to discuss the state tour. Within a day or two, the core committee of the party will sit and discuss various issues including the state tour,” Mr Eshwarappa clarified.
Sources close to Mr Yeddyurappa said that the former CM has scheduled programmes in Gulbarga, Bijapur and Bagalkot from January 16 to 18. He has also agreed to attend religious functions, sources said.
At Hubli, speaking to reporters, Mr Yeddyurappa dismissed media reports regarding differences among leaders in the state unit.