BJP state president B S Yeddyurappa has decided to hold a meeting with disgruntled leaders of the party who had recently expressed their resentment against his style of functioning, on January 19 at the BJP office in Bengaluru.

Speaking to reporters in Chitradurga, Yeddyurappa said he will meet all those leaders who had signed a letter addressed to him. “Some leaders including MLC Banuprakash have expressed their views. I have decided to meet them and listen to their grievances,” he added.

Yeddyurappa, however, denied receiving any letter and said he will meet those who are said to have signed it. “Except for those who have already been suspended from the party, I will meet all of them. I have invited all of them for the meeting,” he said.
Sources in the BJP termed Yeddyurappa’s move as a damage-control exercise. A group of 24 party leaders, including some former ministers and sitting legislators, had reportedly sent a letter to him, taking exception to his style of functioning. They were reportedly upset with Yeddyurappa’s unilateral decisions, especially in appointing state, district and taluk office-bearers of the party a few months ago.

The letter has been sent to Yeddyurappa at a time when senior party leader K S Eshwarappa has raised a banner of revolt against him and, has been organising Sangolli Rayanna Brigade meetings against his (Yeddyurappa’s) wishes. It is learnt that RSS leaders have convened a meeting with Yeddyurappa and Eshwarappa on January 17 in Bengaluru to iron out the differences.

Asked about the meeting convened by the RSS, Yeddyurappa said: “Such meetings are held frequently...There is no need to attach much significance to the meeting.”

The former chief minister said the results of the elections to Agriculture Produce Marketing Committees (APMCs) are an indication that the ruling Congress is losing its popularity in the state. The elections have proved that people are in favour of the BJP, he said in a statement issued to the media in Bengaluru.

The Congress-backed candidates have been able to win only 50 APMCs despite the party being in power. The BJP-supported candidates have won 42 APMCs despite the party being in the Opposition. The results show that people in rural areas of the state have rejected the Congress, he added.