The political scene in the State is hotting up as the Bharatiya Janata Party central leadership has convened a crucial meeting of its Karnataka core committee — apex decision making body for the party’s State affairs comprising top leaders — in Delhi on Friday.
The meeting, which is being held ahead of the show of strength to be put up by the former Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa in Haveri on Sunday after he quit the BJP, is expected to not only take stock of the political developments, but also take important decisions on its future course of action. The meeting has arisen curiosity in political circles as its decisions are expected to have a bearing on the continuance of the Jagadish Shettar government.
According to sources, the Delhi meeting may focus on the measures to be taken by the party to prevent its MLAs from attending the Haveri rally and also the disciplinary action to be initiated against them if they attend the rally.
The BJP, which is determined to expel the MLAs attending the rally, is said to be preferring the option of going to polls if a sizeable number of its MLAs violate party discipline by attending the Haveri rally. However, Mr. Yeddyurappa himself has asked the MLAs, Ministers and MPs to skip his rally to avoid any disciplinary action. Instead, his camp is hosting a breakfast meeting for the MLAs at the residence of his close aide and Minister C.M. Udasi.
It is learnt that the meeting may also take up the pending issue of appointment of the full-fledged State president as incumbent K.S. Eshwarappa has joined the ministry and become Deputy Chief Minister.
The party had put off the State president’s appointment earlier following rebellion by Mr. Yeddyurappa.
The members of the party State core committee comprising Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar, Mr. Eshwarappa, the former Chief Minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda, national general secretary Ananth Kumar and State organising general secretary Santhosh will be taking part in the meeting.
