Jolted by growing number of cases against senior leaders and ministers in Karnataka, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) summoned state unit president K.S.Eshwarappa to discuss damage-control measures here on Saturday. Sources in the party said Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh leaders M.C. Jayadeva and Dattatreya Hosabale expressed their displeasure to Mr Eshwarappa and organizing secretaries Sathish and Santosh during the meeting.

They reportedly spoke of how cases of corruption against senior leaders caused immense damage to the image of the party, and how transparency could help restore the confidence of voters in the party. In fact, Mr Dattatreya Hosabale went to the extent of issuing a statement expressing his ire over recent developments in the state unit of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

“The recent episode of Mr. Yeddyurappa is an embarrassment to Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh . Whenever Mr Yeddyurappa visited our headquarters here, senior functionaries advised him as he is a swayamsevak. If he has not taken the advice seriously, it is wrong to blame the RSS," he added.

Party sources said RSS leaders instructed state Bharatiya Janata Party leaders to put in additional efforts to restore the sagging image of the party. Mr Eshwarappa reportedly explained details of complaints against home minister R. Ashok and industries minister, Murugesh Nirani, and his stand to await the outcome of a probe by the Lokayukta police into allegation of de-notification against the home minister.