BSY upset with state BJP leaders

The recent attempt by the State BJP leaders to impress upon the party’s national president Amit Shah to continue Pralhad Joshi as the Karnataka unit chief for some more time has upset former chief minister B S Yeddyurappa, sources close to the development said.

The sources said Yeddyurappa had set his eyes on the post of the State president and was disappointed by the local leader’s move. Joshi’s three-year tenure ended on March 23 this year.

On Friday, Yeddyurappa made a last-minute appearance at the State BJP executive committee meeting in Bengaluru. His absence at the meeting, which witnessed full attendance by the State leaders, added to the speculation that he was upset at not being made the State chief.

Arriving at the meeting straight from the airport in the evening, Yeddyurappa said he was in New Delhi on Friday morning to attend the Spices Board meeting of which he is a member in his capacity as a member of Parliament.

“It was a scheduled meeting and nothing more should be read into it. I am not after any post nor am I upset,” Yeddyurappa said.

However, those close to Yeddyurappa said he was unhappy with the way he was being treated by the State leaders after he rejoined the BJP in 2013. He had met Shah a couple of days ago and explained his plight.

Formal invitations are not being sent to Yeddyurappa and he is not kept informed about the party activities, sources said.