Letter trouble: Joshi warns of action

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Bengaluru: The conflict in the BJP over the re-induction of former CM B.S. Yeddyurappa has intensified with the party deciding to initiate disciplinary action against MLC and RSS loyalist G. Madhusudan. He had written a hard hitting letter to party national president Rajnath Singh requesting him to ensure Yeddyurappa’s return to the BJP fold. 
 
Joshi who represents Hubli-Dharwad in the Lok Sabha  is a known loyalist of BJP general secretary Ananth Kumar—a fierce rival of Yeddyurappa who is opposing the former CM’s return to the BJP as it would reduce his sphere of influence. At an office bearers’ meeting held here on Thursday, Joshi criticised Madhusudan’s act of going against the state leadership and writing to the party top brass. 
 
“Going against party interests is nothing but anti-party activity. Madhusudan could have discussed the issue with state leaders on a party platform instead of leaking the contents of his letter to the media. I have instructed the party’s disciplinary committee to inquire into the matter and furnish a report at the earliest”, Joshi reportedly said. 
 
“Writing a letter is alien to BJP culture, we will not tolerate such indiscipline. The party is like a family, if the father commits a mistake, does his son write a letter against him or try to set things right within the four wall of the family?”, the BJP chief asked, adding, “If anyone has a grievance against party decisions, he or she has a fair opportunity to discuss it with state and central leaders. We do not subscribe to the ‘high command culture’ prevalent in the Congress. Madhusudan has embarrassed the party by writing the letter”. 
 
Party sources were however skeptical if any action would be taken as nothing has happened in the case of Yeddyurappa loyalist and MLC Lehar Singh who had written a hard-hitting letter to party veteran L.K. Advani. With this being the situation, more second line leaders are likely to follow in the footsteps of Lehar Singh and Madhusudan and dash off letters to the leadership on the dismal state of affairs in the state unit, said sources.