BJP MLAs scurry for cover

Operation KJP

As Karnataka Janata Party (KJP) leader B S Yeddyurappa descended on the Suvarna Soudha in Belgaum on Friday, the loyal BJP legislators literally went into hiding. For, the former chief minister had landed there with an intention of winning over to his side as many BJP MLAs as possible.

Yeddyurappa wanted to woo BJP legislators, especially those who are still in a dilemma on joining the KJP. And Suvarna Soudha, where the winter session of the Legislature is on, was the right place for his mission.

As the BJP has been issuing warning to its leaders, indeed on a daily basis, that they would face the music if they attended the KJP’s Haveri convention, Yeddyurappa came to the Soudha to interact with the MLAs and instill confidence among them that he was with them and, they need not fear the warnings.

In fact, his visit to the Soudha took many BJP MLAs by surprise. As the news of Yeddyurappa’s visit to the secretariat building spread, the MLAs became alert and tried to give him a slip. The BJP legislators and ministers avoided the Assembly lounge where Yeddyurappa was closeted with his supporters.

His close aide and Energy Minister Shobha Karandlaje had taken up the responsibility of approaching the MLAs. One of the legislators to fall prey was Suresh Gowda of Tumkur Rural constituency. Gowda reluctantly entered the room where Yeddyurappa and his supporters were holding an informal meeting. The KJP leader, it is learnt, invited those present at the meeting to attend a breakfast he would be hosting in Haveri on December 9.

K Raghupathi Bhat, MLA from Udupi, virtually fled Hotel Sankam Residence on learning that Yeddyurappa will be meeting his friends over breakfast. Loyal BJP legislators fear that meeting Yeddyurappa at this juncture would send a wrong message to the party workers in their constituencies and, their rivals may take advantage of the situation.

Yeddyurappa, who is formally launching his party on December 9, wants to net as many sitting MLAs as possible. His aim is to win over those legislators who have a fair chance of being re-elected in the next elections. About 25 MLAs and eight MPs are likely to attend the breakfast meeting to be held at MLC Shivaraj Sajjan’s house in Haveri on Sunday, his close aides said.