Bharatiya Janata Party State president B.S. Yeddyurappa found himself in a spot at the first meeting of the party’s newly-constituted core committee on Tuesday as several members took exception to the manner in which office-bearers were appointed to the organisation.
According to party sources, the committee observed that injustice had been done to some prominent and senior workers by not including them in the list of office-bearers. It favoured a few additions, if not a complete revision, by including them to “rectify the injustice”.
It may be noted that appointment of office-bearers had become a bone of contention with a section of party leaders publicly criticising Mr. Yeddyurappa and also complaining to the Central leadership. The issue figured on Tuesday as it was the first meeting of the party’s highest decision-making body after the internal differences came to fore, a senior leader said. The meeting, which was attended by Mr. Yeddyurappa, Union Minister Ananth Kumar, and Leaders of the Opposition in both the Houses of State legislature Jagadish Shettar and K.S. Eshwarappa, among others, had a marathon discussion in two sessions.
There was a clear sign of continuation of tug of war between Mr. Yeddyurappa and the old-time party leaders as in between the two sessions, the BJP president launched a counter-attack by disapproving the leadership role being played by Mr. Eshwarappa in launching an apolitical alternative to Ahinda (Kannada acronym for minorities, backward classes and Dalits), which is being spearheaded by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. Speaking to mediapersons, he insisted the effort had to be made only under the party banner.
However, at the meeting, some leaders reportedly defended Mr. Eshwarappa and clarified that there were several religious heads from backward communities, who would not participate if such a forum was created under the party banner as they did not wish to be identified with any political party. He also maintained that such an apolitical forum would strengthen the BJP.
The core committee, which heard both Mr. Yeddyurappa and Mr. Eshwarappa, desisted from taking any stand either in favour of the forum or against it.
