Yeddyurappa sets Jan 15 deadline

He may bid goodbye to BJP if hes not made CM; likely to align with NCP

This is being seen as a deadline by the former chief minister to the party’s central leaders to heed his demand or face the consequence of a political backlash.

Yeddyurappa has already set in motion a multi-pronged strategy to reclaim the chief minister’s post. For the last two days, he has stationed himself in the national capital placing his demands before the central leadership. Yeddyurappa’s argument is that it is a matter of time before he comes clean of all charges against him. Besides, he has the support of a majority of the party MLAs and MPs.

According to sources close to Yeddyurappa, he has decided to go all out this time. Yeddyurappa took this decision, so that he can be back at the helm or quit the BJP, during a recent visit to Vaishno Devi temple in Jammu, the sources said.

It is said that it is in the temple that he sought the Almighty’s ‘indication’ whether to continue in the BJP or not. He had drawn a chit before the deity, which reportedly ‘suggested’ him to bid goodbye to the party.

As part of his game plan, the loyalists of the Lingayat leader are in constant touch with NCP chief and Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar. Yeddyurappa is keen on a political arrangement with NCP, in case his bid to return to power fails.

Yeddyurappa is also understood to be instrumental in persuading several Congress leaders to send feelers on their intention of joining the NCP. This again is seen as a tactical move to create a wide base for the party and open channels for others to join.

Yeddyurappa will return to Bangalore on Friday. He will wait till January 15, the day after Sankranti to begin his moves.

Still, the party sources said, Yeddyurappa may not create hurdles for Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda to win the bypoll to the council on December 22.