Karnataka’s CM B.S. Yeddyurappa finally gave in to pressure from BJP leadership, tendering his resignation to BJP President Nitin Gadkari, on Thursday, exactly 24 hours after a meeting with party bigwigs in New Delhi ended in acrimony.
However, sources close to the Chief Minister said the offer to resign, followed by the caveat that he would resign only on July 31 was no more than a ploy to buy time as he continued to attempt to drum up support for a dissolution of government while simultaneously attempting to persuade BJP leadership that he should be allowed to stay on in the party hierarchy as state party chief, entrusted with overseeing future polls.
Yeddyurappa had insisted during his meeting with the party leadership that his track record in winning back-to-back elections should be taken into consideration.
'Don't attend his meetings'
Yeddyurappa has pushed for his nominee D.V. Sadananda Gowda, party MP, to succeed him. Sources revealed that party central leaders had said there would be no negotiations unless he resigns as chief minister.
After Mr Yeddyurappa returned to Bengaluru, he remained closeted with loyalists, personally telephoning legislators even as Deccan Chronicle learnt that BJP’s Delhi-based leaders were asking them not to attend any meetings convened by Yeddy.
As the day progressed, a number of his close supporters arrived in a show of force, even as he dispatched emissaries like water resources minister Basavaraj Bommai to parley with the Reddy brothers and power minister Shobha Karandlaje as well as higher education minister V.S. Acharya to talk to the party to ensure the CM was given an honourable exit.
Show of loyalty
The Chief Minister, who continues to command the support of a sizeable chunk of party legislators set off growing speculation that the show of loyalty from his fellow legislators was the first step towards splitting the party and going it alone.
His invite saw some fence sitters like Revu Naik Belamagi turn up, but the core of his support remained Lingayats.
Around 23 MLAs from North Karnataka, and 10 ministers arrived at Chief Minister’s Race Course Residence in the city.
By late evening that number had swelled to 40, sources close to the chief minister claimed. However, the party central leadership remained unmoved by the number game.
Industries minister, Murugesh Nirani one of Mr Yeddyurappa’s trusted lieutenant emerged to announce later that the CM had the support of two-third of the MLAs but would step down anyway.
"The chief minister’s support is intact. However, he has agreed to honour the party’s directive. All of us will attend tomorrow (Friday)’s legislature party meeting,” Mr Nirani said, ending speculation Mr Yeddyurappa could revolt.
Yeddy's attempt to torpedo BJP
Sources said BSY had considered dissolving the Assembly but then changed his mind.
He may hand over his resignation letter by Saturday or Sunday when the deeply superstitious Chief Minister feels his 'unlucky' period will be over as inauspicious Ashada ends.
With the high command deciding to go ahead with the selection of the new legislature party leader, his putative revolt ended in a whimper but he is continuing to hope he will be state party chief and his group — Umesh Katti, Murugesh Nirani, C.M. Udasi, Renukacharya and Shobha Karandlaje — stays in the Cabinet.
Which permutation will work best for BJP?
Will Ananth Kumar push his protégé Jagadish Shettar or his erstwhile supporter R. Ashok, leaving the state unit in the hands of B.S. Yeddyurappa?
BSY has 35 MLAs backing him, including 9 ministers.
BSY set to face mine charges alone
Yeddyurappa seems to be more worried about his isolation when he starts his legal battle on the mining charges.
"If he leaves the party, no BJP leader will rush to his support when he is in real trouble. Since no other party is likely to back him considering the vitriolic exchanges between him and top leaders of other parties in the past, he has no option but to stay in the BJP even if it means playing second fiddle as a former CM.
Sources believe, Yeddy will follow the party diktat than risk a revolt and lose whatever 'goodwill' he enjoys.