Belagavi: The leader of Opposition in the Legislative Council, K S Eshwarappa continued his running battle with the BJP state president B.S. Yeddyurappa on Saturday, this time ridiculing the state unit of BJP for failing to maintain discipline and questioning the style of functioning of the disciplinary action committee.
"When the members of the committee themselves lack discipline, who are they to discipline anyone," he said, while speaking to the media at Almatti, near Vijayapura, adding that members of this committee were behaving in an irresponsible manner, bringing up how they had dealt with Sogadu Shivanna and Nandeesh recently. “The committee issued notices to both Shivanna and Nandeesh but did not initiate any action against them even after they failed to respond. Nor did the party bother to withdraw notices issued to them,'' he added.
Reiterating his backing of the Sangolli Rayanna Brigade, he said it was launched to protect the interests of lakhs of party workers and the backward classes. He said he would not quit SRB under any circumstances.
Separately, he also accused Chief Minister Siddaramaiah of getting a report prepared by the cabinet sub-committee on welfare measures for Muslims, and ensuring release of the funds required for these measures. Mr Eshwarappa said the state government did precious little for the welfare of the backward classes unlike, the previous BJP government which had constituted development corporations for the welfare of the backward classes.
In response to a question on whether he would be an aspirant for the Chief Minister's post in case the BJP was voted to power in Assembly elections in 2018, Mr Eshwarappa said he did not harbour such ambitions but only wanted to strengthen SRB.
RSS leaders decide to step in, end war between BSY and KSE
In an effort to put an end to internecine clashes between state BJP president B S Yeddyurappa and leader of Opposition in the Legislative Council, K S Eshwarappa, leaders of RSS have decided to step in and summon both the leaders for talks here next week.
A senior BJP leader told DC that RSS leaders took the decision to end the war between these leaders and their supporters as it had dented the image of the party. “It is true that some party leaders have written to Mr. Yeddyurappa two months ago, raising their concern over his style of functioning. In fact two months ago, more than 60 BJP cadre assembled at the party office and expressed their displeasure against autocratic style of Mr. Yeddyurappa”, he said.
Meanwhile, sources in the party said Mr. Eshwarappa had the support of Sangh Parivar leaders and senior BJP leaders close to party president Amit Shah and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In fact, national joint secretary, Santhosh, who is now in-charge of southern states, was tacitly supporting Mr Eshwarappa.
Sources said Mr Santhosh and his team had an genuine grouse against Mr Yeddyurappa. Mr. Santhosh built the party in Karnataka from grassroots level after Mr Yeddyurappa quit the BJP and launched the KJP. In recognition of his organizational skills, party central leadership promoted him as BJP national joint secretary and in-charge of four southern states and one Union territory. He had a chamber in state unit office to discharge his duties, but Mr. Yeddyurappa and his camp ignored his presence kept him out of the loop while taking important decisions. In the wake of these developments, Mr Santosh decided to adopt a neutral stand and not to interfere in affairs of the state unit though central leaders had asked him to work with Mr Yeddyurappa, sources added.
