Murugesh Nirani, Minister for Large- and Medium-scale Industries and former Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa’s close aide, has still kept the Bharatiya Janata Party guessing on his political moves after assuring it of remaining in its fold.
According to sources in the BJP, he is expected to make it clear in two days whether to remain in the party or join the Karnataka Janata Paksha of Mr. Yeddyurappa.
Mr. Nirani, who announced that he would join the KJP in the presence of Mr. Yeddyurappa at a rally at Jamkhandi in the last week of March, abruptly cancelled his plans after three other Ministers — Umesh Katti, V. Somanna and Basavaraj Bommai — decided to remain in the BJP.
Soon after this, he is learnt to have responded positively to the negotiations by the party to retain him in its fold. Mr. Nirani who represents Biligi in the Assembly wants to shift to Jamkhandi.
The BJP is learnt to have made it clear to him that it would not consider any request for changing the constituency.
“We have made our terms clear to him. It is now left to him to take a call on his political future. However, it may take some time for him to free himself from the political influence of Mr. Yeddyurappa for making any decision,” sources said.
Interestingly, interacting with media persons at Jamkhandi on Wednesday, Mr. Nirani declared that he would contest the elections from Jamkhandi itself. This has triggered speculation on his political moves as the BJP has stuck to its stand that it would not consider his request for change in constituency.
The KJP is particular about wooing Mr. Nirani to its fold as it would be left with no prominent leader from that region if he decides against joining it.
Already, Mr. Yeddyurappa has suffered a jolt with his other trusted lieutenants such as Mr. Katti, Mr. Bommai and Mr. Somanna deciding against joining his political outfit.
