“Yeddyurappa will abide by party decision”

BJP president Nitin Gadkari on Monday maintained that Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa would abide by whatever decision the party took once the official copy of the Lokayukta report on illegal mining in the State was available.

At a news conference here, Mr. Gadkari said Mr. Yeddyurappa had conveyed to him that he would comply with the party's decision on the reported indictment of his government by the Lokayukta.

There were clear hints by Mr. Gadkari that the Chief Minister would have no option but to put in his papers if the leaked portions of the Lokayukta report were correct. “I have always maintained that if there is indictment by either the Supreme Court/High Court or the Lokayukta we would act,” he said.

Mr. Gadkari had convened the press meet essentially to speak on the 2G scam. However, as soon as he finished the subject, he said he would like to comment on the Karnataka developments before the media shot questions at him on the subject.

Having taken the moral high ground on the issue of corruption, senior party leaders concede that the BJP can ill-afford to ignore the serious charges made by the Lokayukta.

“The spate of allegations against the Yeddyurappa government has already cost the party dearly at the national level and dented our campaign against corruption. What is the alternative before the party once the Lokayukta report is submitted,” asked a senior party functionary.

At the same time, there are concerns within the party on the consequences of seeking the resignation of Mr. Yeddyurappa given his clout among the party legislators and the solid backing of his community.

Asked about the demand made by Shanta Kumar, former vice-president of the party and one-time in-charge of Karnataka affairs, for removal of Mr. Yeddyurappa, the BJP chief said he did not approve of leaders speaking outside party forums. “I have spoken to Mr. Kumar and told him not to express his views on party matters through the media,” Mr. Gadkari said.