The BJP high command’s meeting with state party leaders in New Delhi was to get a first hand account of the political scene in the state in the wake of the mixed signals from the JD(S) camp over the transfer of power issue.
According to sources, the BJP high command, which is now closely watching the political situation in the state as the D-day for transfer of power fast approaching, was perplexed by the recent “cordiality” between the JD(S) and the Congress.
The high command is said to have asked the state leaders what they read into the recent meeting of JD(S) president H D Deve Gowda with Union Minister M V Rajashekaran and Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy meeting BJP MLAs. BJP leaders in the state were summoned to New Delhi by party’s national president Rajanath Singh on Tuesday night. Those who attended the meeting included Deputy Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa, party national general secretary Ananthkumar, State party president D V Sadananda Gowda and ministers Jagadish Shettar, K S Eshwarappa and D H Shankaramurthy.
The party leadership was told to strive for the smooth transfer of power but at the same time be prepared for any eventuality including elections.
The visiting leaders were warned not to allow the party to be taken for a ride by its coalition partner.
“As per our present strategy, all the BJP ministers will hand over their resignation letters on October 3, the day the transition of power is going to take place”, the sources added.
Mr Singh is said to have told the leaders that any differences in the party at this stage would be detrimental to the interest of the party and to the advantage of the JD(S).
Party sources say the BJP leadership, despite expressing confidence in public that the transfer of power will be smooth, is apprehensive about the whole affair.
Two JD(S) ministers Iqbal Ansari and D T Jayakumar have openly raised doubts about the power transfer. Mr Gowda too has given jitters to the party by setting riders for the transfer of power and causing a sense of unease to the party.
Inside the BJP, several legislators are said to be unhappy with Mr Yediyurappa’s style of functioning.