KJP resolution authorises BSY to decide merger

Former CM still waiting for invitation from BJP

Karnataka Janata Paksha (KJP) president B S Yeddyurappa on Monday got a shot in the arm as the party’s State executive passed a resolution authorising him to take a final decision on the party’s next political move, including a merger with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

The resolution was passed at a meeting attended by four of the six party legislators, office-bearers and around 200 executive committee members. It comes days after the BJP decided to take steps to expedite the return of Yeddyurappa to the party-fold.

Speaking at the meeting, Yeddyurappa said he had not received any formal invitation from the BJP central leadership for the merger and he would wait for a communication from the BJP central leadership before deciding his homecoming.

Yeddyurappa also rejected reports that he had been laying down conditions for his return to the BJP. “I have not spoken to BJP State or central leaders,” he claimed.

First step by BJP

Though the BJP took the first step of seeking Yeddyurappa’s homecoming, sources close to the former chief minister said he too was keen on returning to his old party.

Yeddyurappa left the BJP on November 30 last year stating that the party had totally sidelined him. He just wants an “honourable entry” into the BJP and does not want to be seen as desperate, sources said.

Yeddyurappa’s political assessment matches with that of the BJP. Fighting the 2014 Lok Sabha poll as separate entities would only result in splitting the BJP votes—as was evident in the Assembly polls earlier this year—and help the Congress win more seats.

State tour planned

Yeddyurappa said he would start touring the State from December 20 to assess the mood of the people ahead of the Lok Sabha polls. He warned the Congress and the Janata Dal-Secular not to write him off as a spent force.

“I will take care of my health and remain in active politics for the next 10 years. I will face the next two Assembly elections in the State,” the 71-year old leader said.

He was all praise for the success of the Aam Aadmi Party’s electoral debut in Delhi Assembly elections and said its leader Arvind Kejriwal had proved that any bona fide struggle for people would always pay dividends. “He has become a role model for all parties to emulate,” he said.

Replying to queries, Yeddyurappa said he attributed BJP’s success in the Assembly poll equally to the party’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi and the State leadership.

Shobha ‘no’ to MLC

Former minister Shobha Karandlaje has spiked reports that she had set a condition that she be made a Member of the Legislative Council (MLC) if the merger of the KJP with the BJP has to happen.

“I will never become an MLC. I will fight direct elections and get elected by the people. I will never become a hurdle for the political future of Yeddyurappa,” she said.

Two KJP legislators,  B R Patil and Gurupadappa Nagamarapalli, who are against the merger, did not attend Monday’s meeting.

Speaking to reporters in Bangalore, BJP State president Pralhad Joshi said it was a matter of time before Yeddyurappa came back to the party-fold. The party central leadership would take a decision in this regard soon.