BJP to take decision on BS Yeddyurappa

The Bharatiya Janata Party’s top leadership is expected to take a final call on Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa on Wednesday to pin down the raging criticism against party’s alleged soft stand on corruption.

Sources close to party’s strategists said the leadership is looking for an appropriate time, which includes Bihar’s vote counting, before taking a decision on Yeddyurappa, who is not willing to quit.

In fact, the CM’s position appeared now a bit stronger than it was in last week after party’s Members of Parliament (MPs) from the state vowed support to the incumbent.

BJP president Nitin Gadkari, who has been empowered to take the decision and who is to meet the CM on Wednesday, said the party would announce its decision on Wednesday.

Gadkari met Yeddyurappa for a second round of talks on Tuesday night.

Sources in the party said reports from Karnataka indicated a growing “Lingayat” solidarity with the CM in the BJP stronghold of northern Karnataka.

The community, which was crucial for the BJP’s maiden win in Karnataka, has rallied behind the CM also because he is under attack from former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda and his son, besides former Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy, who are Vokkaligas, traditional rivals of Lingayats in the state’s politics.