JOIN USThe BJP central leadership has ruled out convening of its legislative party meeting in Bangalore as demanded by faction headed by former chief minister B S Yeddyurappa.
“The convening the meeting will be the prerogative of the party State unit President K S Eshwarappa in consultation with Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda when there are pressing issues to be discussed.
Besides, at least two-third or minimum 50 per cent of legislators should demand for convening of the meeting. In the present context, such situations do not arise," a senior leader of the party high command told Deccan Herald here.
19 members
He said that the issue raised by the 19 members who have sought the meeting, pertains to the letter by the chief minister and party state unit president to Nitin Gadkari, the National President of the party and such issues need to be discussed in the party core committee meeting, not in the legislative party.
The Supreme Court is likely to deliver its judgement on the plea for the CBI probe against Yeddyurappa on Friday. However, the party leadership does not seem to be in a mood to reinstate the former chief minister even if the court verdict does favour him.
Irrespective of the court ruling, the high command is said to have favoured elevating Lingayat leader and Rural Development Minister Jagadish Shettar to the post of Deputy Chief Minister.
‘Dropping leaders’
The party senior leaders are also keen on dropping of some of the senior ministers including Shobha Karandlaje, Basavaraj Bommai, Murugesh Nirani and V Somanna, considered close to Yeddyurappa.
“Regardless of the outcome of the Supreme Court verdict, reinstating Yeddyurappa as CM is ruled out as he is facing a number of corruption cases.
However to ensure the major Lingayat community should not desert the party, it may make Shettar as Deputy Chief Minister” sources in the party said adding that “any exercise on Cabinet expansion will take place only after the apex court verdict”.
The sources also said that party supremo L K Advani was for giving full freedom to the chief minister in expanding as well as reshuffle of new cabinet.