DVS vs BSY: It’s a proxy war

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After meeting the central leaders directly, Chief Minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda and B.S. Yeddyurappa are using their supporters to influence the party central leadership on their strengths. A day after home minister R. Ashok and municipal administration minister Balachandra Jarkiholi met central leaders separately, another MLA and former minister Aravinda Limbavali left for New Delhi on Saturday to brief the central leaders on the political situation on the ground.

After a series of meetings on Friday, Mr Jarkiholi did not hide his views from the media. He said the party should not bring back B.S. Yeddyurappa as chief minister as it would drive away the OBC and SC/ST votes from the party. Describing the chief minister as “a darling of OBCs” for presenting a budget that benefited the group, he said that Mr Gowda should be continued as chief minister.

But it was Mr Ashok’s visit that raised the hackles among the state party men. After meeting the central leaders, he said the party high command should immediately intervene and find a solution. Sources close to the minister said Mr Ashok is supporting the chief minister as Vokkaligas supported him. But he would rather be with Mr Yeddyurappa as he would gain more.

Mr Limbavali, who was in the Yeddyurappa camp, switched sides fearing that he would be sidelined by the high command. Still, it would be difficult to predict which group he would support when he met the central leaders. “He still nurses hopes of becoming a minister. When Mr Yeddyurappa was riding the wave and there were chances of his becoming the chief minister, Mr Limbavali thought he would become the minister. But as hopes started waning, he switched over to Mr Sadananda Gowda camp,” they said.