The former Chief Minister, B.S. Yeddyurappa, who announced the formation of his own regional political outfit in December, has approached the Election Commission for its registration.
Informed sources said lieutenants of Mr. Yeddyurappa contacted the EC a few days ago seeking details of procedures. There are also reports that he may join hands with Prasanna Kumar of Karnataka Janata Paksha (KJP), which is already a registered party with the EC since April 2011. It is not clear whether the Lingayat leader will go in for a new party or adopt the KJP after which the Commission has to be informed about the new office-bearers.
Meanwhile, BJP’s trouble shooter and Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley was confident that the party’s interests in Karnataka would be protected. “We will do something,” he told The Hindu when asked about the imminent exit of Mr. Yeddyurappa.
Party general secretary in charge of Karnataka Dharmendra Pradhan, who has been camping in Karnataka, did not want to discuss the issue with the media and said “it is an internal matter of the party.”
As per EC guidelines, office-bearers have to apply for registration within 30 days of formation of the party, giving details of name, objectives, membership strength, organisational structure and constitution.