Day two of senior BJP leader Yashwant Sinha’s maiden visit to the State as party in-charge witnessed several legislators meeting the central leader individually and in groups and telling him that differences among the top party leaders had damaged the image of the party.

The legislators are said to have told Mr Sinha that the differences exist only among the top line party leaders and their fight for one-up-manship particularly at the time of transition of power from JD(S) to the BJP could become detrimental to the interest of the party.

“We told Mr Sinha such differences need to be resolved immediately and the party should concentrate on taking over the reigns of power in October,” a section of MLAs who met Mr Sinha told Deccan Herald.

A few MLAs are said to have aired their unhappiness on the “dictatorial attitude” of Deputy Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa and those close to Yediyurappa reportedly told the visiting leader that Ananthkumar was fuelling dissidence among the disgruntled section of the party.

Then, there were those who are said to have aired their grievances for being sidelined by the party despite having been elected three to four times. There were others who sought positions in boards and corporations.

A group of MLAs and MLCs reportedly told Mr Sinha the party organisation needs to be revamped and dedicated party workers be placed in prime posts. “The state executive of the party today has become a sort of rehabilitation camp,” an MLC said.

Mr Sinha told reporters there were “different perception” on some issues in the party. However, the same was not irresoluble. “My role is to see that we evolve a common approach.”

However, he stopped short of saying what these “different perception” were. “I am bound by party ethics not to disclose these details,” he said, added that there were arrangements to resolve the differences.

Mr Sinha said he was on a “listening and learning trip”. “The purpose of my visit is to understand the entire situation”, he said and commended the ministers for having done  a good job during the last 17 months.

He expressed confidence that there would be smooth transfer of power from the JD(S) to the BJP.

To a query, he said that Party National President Rajnath Singh had declared that Mr Yediyurappa was the party’s chief ministerial candidate and the same stands even today.