BENGALURU: Nearly a decade after he stepped down due to corruption charges and rebellion in the party, chief minister BS Yediyurappa is facing dissidence again. But, there’s a marked difference now.
“Over ten years, the party has grown stronger and the national leadership has become powerful. So, the rebellion is fizzling out quickly,” said BJP spokesperson and MLC N Ravikumar.
Basanagouda Patil Yatnal, AH Viswanath and Aravand Bellad have been vocal against the chief minister, but they’re not backed by other MLAs. Earlier, they reportedly had the support of newly inducted ministers like Umesh Katti, Murgesh Nirani and Aravin Limbavali, but not anymore.
Another difference is the absence of moneybags like former Ballari mining baron G Janardhana Reddy, who was in the forefront of the rebellion between 2008 and 2011.
Some MLAs are unhappy with the chief minister’s inaccessibility and interference of his son BY Vijayendra but they’re unable to take on the central leadership.
The 2010 story
Honnali MLA MP Renukacharya, though ostensibly a Yediyurappa loyalist, led the rebellion in 2010 and took a group of MLAs to hotels in Goa and resorts in Karnataka. While he hints at similar efforts now, the three-time legislator is cagey about the numbers.
“There are some likeminded MLAs with us. I can’t reveal numbers at this juncture. We only meet at our homes to discuss political issues and don’t want to go to resorts unlike in the past,” said Renukacharya, who went to New Delhi to complain to the high command about the recent inclusion of CP Yogeshwar and others into the cabinet.