Resurgent B S Yeddyurappa may face opposition from within party

Sources in the state unit said when president Prahlad Joshi completes his term in December 2015, the party would appoint a new leader. The Lingayat strongman has thrown his hat in the ring and even described himself as a strong contender for the post.

Interestingly, within the party, there are no visible signs of Mr Yeddyurappa’s return to state politics or his appointing as chief of the state unit. Sources close to Mr. Yeddyurappa confirmed that there was no indication from central leaders on his appointment to the top post. In case they were keen to appoint Mr Yeddyurappa to the top post, the state leadership would have received an indication and the leaders would have shifted their focus to Mr Yeddyurappa while taking decisions on each issue, or even consulted him in advance before arriving at a decision, sources added.

The sources said Mr Yeddyurappa’s detractors are trying their best to prevent him from becoming state president. Already one team has briefed the central leadership not to consider him for the key post. Besides, some second rung leaders recently met Union finance minister Arun Jaitley, requested him not to consider Mr Yeddyurappa for the post. This team also requested him not consider Udupi-Chikkamagaluru MP Shobha Karandlaje for the top post even if Mr Yeddyurappa insisted on the same.

Meanwhile, sources in the state BJP said central leaders had assured Mr Yeddyurappa that the party would definitely reward him if he comes out with clean in cases of corruption. These leaders have reportedly told him to clear other cases as early as possible.

Sources also added that considering Mr Yeddyurappa’s age, the party leadership seems unlikely to consider his candidature for the top post. These leaders are wondering how, at the age of 73, could Mr Yeddyurappa lead the party in next Assembly elections, sources added.