In a bid to cash in on the differences within the Congress, the Bharatiya Janata Party is trying to lure Congress leader Siddaramaiah, who has resigned from the post of Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly.
However, Mr. Siddaramaiah, a socialist leader and a bitter critic of saffron politics, has repeatedly told mediapersons that he has only quit the post of the Leader of the Opposition and not the Congress party. He reiterated that he would continue in the Congress as an MLA and work for the party.
But this has not deterred the BJP, which wants to fish in troubled waters. “We have sent feelers to Mr. Siddaramaiah and are trying to invite him to join our fold,” highly placed sources in the BJP said.
ADVERTISEMENT
“He is yet to show interest. But if he shows any interest, we are ready to offer him any post, barring the two top posts of Chief Minister and party State president,” sources said. Whether their efforts materialise or not, the BJP is relieved for it is the first time the Opposition Congress is hogging the limelight for infighting. “It is a relief for us, as public attention is diverted from our internal squabbling,” they said in a lighter vein.
The BJP, which is dogged by the rebellion led by its strongman B.S. Yeddyurappa, believes that the internal problem that has sprung up in the Congress is only the beginning and it will aggravate further.