Bengaluru: A clipping of the wings for BJP state president B.S. Yeddyurappa and a soft rap on the knuckles for rebel leader K.S. Eshwarappa. That's what the BJP's spin doctors in Delhi have done to restore peace in the strife-torn state unit, with party general secretary Muralidhar Rao playing peacemaker during the executive meeting in Mysuru.
The intervention of the top brass worked to a certain extent with Yeddyurappa forced to convene a meeting of the powerful core committee Saturday night to list speakers for the final day of the executive on Sunday.
The committee decided that Yeddyurappa's arch rivals, BJP national joint organising secretary B.L. Santosh and Eshwarappa would speak, much to the discomfort of the BSY camp! It was no small victory for the two leaders, who had faced severe criticism after taking on Yeddyurappa.
Not that all went Eshwarappa's way. He was made to eat humble pie and postpone his plan to hold a Rayanna Brigade meeting after he received a diktat to attend the executive meeting. Or face the consequences.
But Yeddyurappa was the bigger loser and the only consolation for him was that his loyalist, Udupi MP Shobha Karandlaje was given the opportunity to brief the media at the end of the meeting. The leadership has managed to pull the covers on the dissent for now but considering the lack of bonohomie between the two factions, it remains to be seen how long the peace lasts.
