Dharmendra Paradhan likely to arrive in Karnataka tomorrow

Pradhan, in-charge of BJP affairs in Karnataka, was expected to arrive here tomorrow and hold talks with senior leaders, a BJP source said here. The source said some of the front ranking leaders who have been spearheading the revolt against Yeddyurappa, facing fresh charges of corruption, have urged the high command to effect a change of guard in the southern state to save the party and its image.

Pradhan is also expected to meet the party MLAs and elicit their views on issues concerning the party affairs and the government. The source, however, also indicated that the BJP high command might not take any decision on the Karnataka affairs till the bye-elections to three assembly segments on April 9 was over.

Meanwhile, Minister for Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Jagadish Shettar, one of the leaders who has turned a rallying point for rebels, left for Delhi this evening.
A meeting of senior leaders, including state unit President K S Eswarappa, National General Secretary H N Anantkumar and others was held at the residence of Shettar yesterday, which reportedly decided to press for early decision on change in Yeddyurappa leadership.

A source in BJP also hinted that some of the senior leaders were likely to visit the national capital on March 25 to brief its top leaders over the new developments that has arisen in view of the fresh allegations hurled against Yeddyurappa by JDS leader H D Kumaraswamy.

Yeddyurappa is currently camping in Delhi and likely to meet senior leaders of his party to brief them on the renewed dissidence activity.