BJP seeks to tone up organisation to counter BSY influence

With former Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa's exit from the party round the corner, the ruling BJP in Karnataka has decided to tone up the organisation and counter his influence, with elections just six months away.

The state unit today held a day-long meeting of all its morchas, including Backward Classes, women and minorities and directed them to strengthen their network from the grassroots level and hold meetings at the district headquarters and Assembly segments.

State unit President K S Eshwarappa and Transport and Home Minister R Ashoka -- both Deputy Chief Ministers -- exhorted top-guns of the morcha to get battle-ready for the polls, slated in May.

Yeddyurappa has said he would quit BJP by month-end and formally launch Karnataka Janatha Paksha (KJP) at a huge rally at Haveri on December nine.

There is disquiet in BJP as to the impact of Yeddyurappa's departure, amid intense speculation over the number of legislators siding with the former Chief Minister when he bites the bullet.