Former chief minister B.S. Yeddyurappa’s continued tirade against the BJP leadership does not seem to have stopped the party brass from reaching out to the beleaguered leader. On Sunday, party state president K.S. Eshwarappa expressed confidence that Mr Yeddyurappa would come out of the crisis unscathed and continue to lead the party in the state.
Speaking to reporters at party office, Mr Eshwarappa said he did not attach much importance to rumours about Mr Yeddyurappa leaving the party. “He is the strongest leader in BJP. At the moment, he is facing troubling times, but he is strong enough to face them. Any others in his place would have buckled a long time ago”, he said.
“Even earlier, there were rumours that Mr Yeddyurappa would not resign as chief minister and would not adhere by party decisions. However, I had said that he would resign and stand by the party decision, and I was proved right. Mr Yeddyurappa has fostered many leaders in the party, including me, and he will continue to do so,’’ Mr Eshwarappa said.
The state BJP chief went on to say, “We have convinced the central leadership that his services to the party should be recognized and he should be given due position in the party. The central leaders will decide on what position he should be given and when. Once Mr Yeddyurappa comes out clean from all the cases against him, everything will fall in place for him automatically”, Mr Eshwarappa added.
Labour and sericulture minister B.N. Bachche Gowda also said there was no question of Mr Yeddyurappa quitting the party. “We have convinced the central leaders and Mr Yeddyurappa too in this regard. The situation will return to normal soon,’’ he added.