Worried, BJP plans to rally its base

Besides replenishing the confidence of the workers, the BJP wants to send out a strong message to its leaders at all levels that the party and its government are “here to stay,” and there is no need to lose heart because of charges faced by some top leaders, including Yeddyurappa.

The convention will drive home the point that the party is above individuals, irrespective of their positions. The party workers are worried about the future, especially after Governor H R Bhardwaj granted permission to prosecute the chief minister.

Briefing reporters on the convention, party’s State President K S Eshwarappa said three workers from each of the 43,000 polling booth limits across the State will take part in the event, to be inaugurated by party National President Nitin Gadkari. The aim is to strengthen the party base and disseminate information about the achievements of the government.

He was speaking after attending a meeting of all ministers and top leaders of the party convened by the chief minister. Yeddyurappa called the meeting following directions from the party national leaders that he should take everybody into confidence while taking major decisions.

‘No leadership change’

Eshwarappa dismissed as mere speculation triggered by the Congress and the JD(S) that the State is heading for mid-term polls and said: “There is no change of guard. We will work unitedly under the leadership of Yeddyurappa in the coming two years. The Opposition parties are only trying to create confusion in the minds of people about mid-term election.”

Yeddyurappa said no significance should be attached to his two-day trip to Delhi and termed it routine. “The BJP is a national party. As the chief minister, I have to brief my high command on the political situation in the State and also seek its guidance," he added.

He had called on senior leaders like L K Advani, Arun Jaitley and Sushma Swaraj in the last two days in Delhi. Sources said the leaders also discussed about selection of the party candidate for the election to the Rajya Sabha seat, which fell vacant following the recent death of M Rajashekaramurthy. Though no decision was taken at the meeting, there seems to be opposition for fielding Dhananjaya Kumar.