The BJP and KJP led by former CM B.S. Yeddyurappa are coming closer with the saffron party deciding to firm up an alliance with the breakaway outfit for the upcoming byelections to the three seats in the Legislative Council from the local body constituencies.
The bypolls will be held on August 22 to fill vacancies caused by the resignation of three BJP legislators — G.H. Thippa Reddy, Shivaraj Sajjan and K.R. Mallikarjunappa — from the Chitradurga, Dharwad and Mysore local body seats. The BJP has hardly any option after suffering a drubbing in the Assembly polls and has decided to take the initiative to get Mr Yeddyurappa back in its fold. A poll pact with the KJP will help the party retain all three seats and retain its majority in the Upper House besides setting the stage for a tie-up for the 2014 LS polls, said sources.