New Delhi, Bangalore:
Hours after he visited the Sai Baba Ashram in Andhra Pradesh, BS Yeddyurappa seems to have got what he most likely prayed for - an extension as Chief Minister of Karnataka.
He landed in Delhi ready to confront his party's senior-most leaders, his tone suggesting that there would be no surrender. "Nobody has asked me to resign," he told reporters.
That may be stretching it, but ultimately, Yeddyurappa will have his way. Despite the mounting evidence that his family got prime properties in and around Bangalore at massively-discounted rates, the BJP, sources say, have decided that this is not the time for Yeddyurappa's exit.
He will meet senior leader Arun Jaitley tonight to explain his stand. But Yeddyurappa's survival will stem not from his defence, but from the fact that the BJP doesn't want to encourage more dissent within its Karnataka branch. Yeddyurappa also allegedly enjoys the support currently of most of the party's MLAS, some of who met with the BJP's central leadership earlier today to stand by their man. "There is no alternative to Yeddyurappa. He will continue as CM. The BJP high command has not taken any decision," said state Education Minister VS Acharya earlier in the day.
The threat of a potential split in the party is compounded by the absence of a charismatic leader who can take over from Yeddyurappa, whose Lingayat caste is a big part of the BJP's vote bank.
Yeddyurappa had been avoiding this trip to Delhi - he was originally expected by his party on Friday in the capital.
When he finally did fly in, it was on the Prime Minister's plane. While Yeddyurappa was in Puttaparthy to pay his respects on Sai Baba's 85th birthday, the PM was in town for an official function. (
Read)
Yeddyurappa has involuntarily come to the rescue of the PM's party, the Congress, at a critical juncture. The charges that he gifted prime property to his children have allowed the Congress to deflect, at least partially, the BJP's robust attack against the government for chronic corruption. (
Watch: Yeddyurappa defiant, says won't quit |
Read: Who will replace Yeddyurappa?)
So as the BJP was sharpening its knives over the Adarsh Society scam, the corruption in the Commonwealth Games, and the 2G controversy that cost A Raja his job as Telecom Minister, along came the public disclosures against Yeddyurappa. Knives were blunted.
In Karnataka, Janata Dal Secular President HD Kumaraswamy has been circulating documents that prove Yeddyurappa sold government land - acquired for public projects - to his family members at inexplicably low rates. Yeddyurappa said last week his family would return those plots. The gesture was meant to save his job, but was construed as an admission of guilt both within and outside his party. (
Watch:Yeddyurappa should go: JD(S) |
Yeddyurappa has to resign, says Left)
In an attempt to correct that impression, Yeddyurappa has announced a judicial inquiry - a retired judge of the Karnataka High Court will study contentious land deals in the state since 1995. Over a year, the inquiry will examine land allotments by government bodies. (
Watch: BJP top brass meets to decide Yeddyurappa's fate)
Who can replace Yeddyurappa?Suresh Kumar: He is the Law Minister and the front-runner for the post
Positive: Absolutely clean image
Negative: Too low profile
Jagdish Shettar: Currently, the Rural Development Minister
Positive: Belongs to Lingayat community like Yeddyurappa
Negative: Low profile
Ananth Kumar: MP from South Bangalore
Positive: Known at national level
Negative: Yeddyurappa baiter, doesn't have state-wide base
K S Eshwarappa: State BJP president
Positive: Senior leader and state chief
Negative: Allegations of irregular land deals