Bengaluru: Amidst reports of discontent brewing in the state BJP over recent appointments of office bearers and district presidents, Union Law and Justice Minister, D.V. Sadananda Gowda’s speech at the BJP state executive committee meeting on Saturday, cautioning the state leadership against repeating its past mistakes was WhatsApped to journalists by his media advisor much to the discomfiture of state BJP chief, B S Yeddyrurappa.
The move reportedly angered his staunch loyalist, Shobha Karandalaje, whose “interference” in party matters has upset many old timers of late. The former minister did not take kindly to an audio clipping of Mr Gowda's speech being sent to the media, according to sources.
In his speech, Mr. Gowda reminded the executive committee that although the party had given good governance in the state in the past, it had allowed the Congress to come to power owing to its mistakes.
“The party should not commit the same mistake in future. We must introspect and make sure that we do not repeat our mistakes,” he stressed, adding that while differences of opinion were common in every party, they should not be allowed to dent the party’s image.
In an obvious reference to the disgruntlement in a section of the party over Mr Yeddyurappa's alleged favouring of his old KJP cronies in appointment of the party’s district presidents , he advisded partymen to set aside their differences and concentrate on building the party organisation instead.
He also cautioned party leaders and workers against airing their differences in public as this would damage the party’s interests in the state. But party spokesman, Suresh Kumar, downplayed the minister’s comments when asked about them. “Mr. Gowda did not express any displeasure, but merely stressed the need for unity in the party,” he claimed.
