Ananth's absence hangs heavy over BJP meet

“Did Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa gain an upper hand in the meeting by not giving due importance to Ananth Kumar and his supporters? Was Ananth Kumar aware that he would not be given due importance if he attended the meeting?” These were some of the questions being discussed by some BJP members at the meeting venue on Saturday too.

It was often said that Yeddyurappa and Ananth Kumar were the two pillars of BJP in the State. But at the BJP State Executive meeting in Hubli, one pillar was missing. The meeting hinted at the widening gulf between them. Adding to the speculation is the absence of others such as Aravind Limbavali, Ramesh Jigajinagi and Balachandra Jarkiholi.

It is also being said that the views of the Ananth Kumar’s camp were not given importance at different stages of the meeting, including finalising the agenda and holding discussions. However, Ananth Kumar’s rivals claim that the former Union Minister’s views were not given primacy as the meeting related solely to the party’s affairs in the State.

During the discussions, some leaders reportedly tried to raise the issue of the ‘damage’ caused to the party by the Posco issue, and corruption charges levelled against the government. Objection was also reportedly raised against ‘unilateral’ decisions taken by the chief minister time and again, and for reportedly consulting only a few selected persons.

During the meeting, the BJP top brass and think tank reportedly asked the people’s representatives to give due time to the party and the public. The chief minister and other ministers were asked to perform better and not create any controversy in future. However, throughout the two-day executive meeting, it was Yeddyurappa who was reportedly in charge of most of the sessions and discussions held.