The former Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa, who has been elected to the Lok Sabha from Shimoga, has written to Prime Minister-designate Narendra Modi expressing his willingness to work towards strengthening the party in Karnataka.
With this, Mr. Yeddyurappa, who was earlier fancying his chances of getting a ministerial berth, has signalled to the party that he is eying a party post in the State.
Recalling his meeting with Mr. Modi in Delhi recently along with other leaders from Karnataka and the subsequent address of the Prime Minister-designate in the Central Hall of Parliament, Mr. Yeddyurappa said in the letter on Thursday: “You had expressed that since the expectations and aspirations (on BJP) are too high across the country, at least a few capable leaders must come forward to take the responsibility and work towards strengthening the party in their respective States. As you expressed in general, I voluntarily and wholeheartedly offer my willingness to work towards strengthening of the party in Karnataka.”
This is being viewed in the party circles as a realisation by Mr. Yeddyurappa that he may not get a ministerial berth in the wake of several cases of alleged corruption being faced by him in various courts. But his decision is bound to alter the power equations in the party’s State unit. “He is a person who always wants to be in the top post, given his experience and stature. Going by that, he will certainly be eying the State unit party president’s post,” sources in the party said.
