Bengaluru: Without wasting much time, newly appointed BJP president Mr B.S. Yeddyurappa has made a headstart in preparing for the 2018 elections by organising review meetings of the party division wise. Sources said that Mr Yeddyurappa was concentrating more on the weakest regions and wants to address issues in the party’s bastions at a later stage.
On Sunday, Mr Yeddyurappa took stock of the situation in Bengaluru Rural division. Of the 19 Assembly segments, BJP has won only one seat. In Ramanagar district, the party had won in Channapattana and Magadi and also in Hoskote and Anekal. However, there is no consistency in winning the seats, barring Anekal.
Sources said that Mr Yeddyurappa has sought suggestions from each of the constituencies and enquired about some of the powerful political leaders, who are not with BJP. He also sought information on the weak segments- caste and area wise details, where the BJP could concentrate.
After eliciting information from local leaders, the party would be drawing up a detailed programme to improve its presence in the weak areas. On Monday, Mr Yeddyurappa will be holding a review meeting of Mysuru and Chamarajnagar division, where the party is weak, sources added.
Older, wiser BSY’s top priority: Rebuilding shattered strongholds
A much mellowed B.S. Yeddyurappa, who became BJP state president in a record two years after rejoining the party, says his primary task is to rebuild BJP in districts where it is virtually zero before focusing on places where it is pretty strong.
Once known for his aggressive and uncompromising stance on political issues, the former CM now says he would like to take everyone along and attract popular leaders from other parties too. He attributed his elevation to the fact that he is the only pan-Karnataka leader who can get local leaders and workers to work together for victory.
And what does he have to say about the land scam cases still pending in courts? “I have got a clean chit in many cases. I hear this government has decided to go in appeal in 15 cases which were disposed of in the high court. They want to launch a witchhunt. Even Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had denotified land in Arkavathy layout,” said the BJP veteran.
