As the BJP bought some peace from the B.S. Yeddyurappa-led rebels, who wanted to dislodge Karnataka Chief Minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda, the latter has indicated that he was ready to abide by the direction of the party high command.
Mr. Gowda, who arrived here to participate in the Chief Ministers’ meeting with NDA-backed presidential poll nominee P.A. Sangma and to attend the wedding reception of party president Nitin Gadkari’s son, told journalists pointedly that he was a disciplined soldier of the party. “Whatever direction my party gives, I am prepared to accept it.”
As Mr. Gadkari was busy throughout the day, Mr. Gowda could not take up the Karnataka issue on Monday. On Tuesday, he might meet party seniors, sources said.
Meanwhile, the party’s general secretary in charge of Karnataka, Dharmendra Pradhan, has submitted a report on the developments in the State, and sources have said that to avoid sending a bad signal to the general public, the party will try to buy time, instead of yielding to the pressure tactics of Mr. Yeddyurappa. “What is the guarantee that Mr. Yeddyurappa will not ask for replacement of Mr. Jagadish Shettar too in the future? After all Mr. Gowda was Mr. Yeddyurappa’s initial choice,” the sources said, adding that a clear message would be sent that the party was more important than the individual.
The party can even consider going in for an early poll along with Gujarat, which is due in December-January.
People of Karnataka elected a legislature wherein each party projected its leader. The high command of the party has no jurisdriction over the wishes of the people. Congress has been playing this game since independence. Now BJP is aping Congress. Mr Gowda should not throw in the towel. Let there be a vote in the Legislature party to elect the incumbant or the challanger. BJP is losing credibility in Karnataka and elsewhere because of the dictates of Yeddurappa. Suspend him from the party until he is cleared of the corruption charges. Mr Gowda, there is something called spine and one needs to stand tall. Many bow down to pressure in spite of having a strong spine.
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