BJP defers decision on Yeddyurappa’s future

NEW DELHI - The Bhartiya Janata Party early Saturday deferred its decision on whether to make the land scam-hit Karnataka Chief Minister B. S. Yeddyurappa quit or stay on his post.

It was decided after an over three-hour-long discussion between Yeddyurappa, other BJP leaders from Karnataka as well as top party functionaries. The meeting was held at party president Nitin Gadkari’s residence in the wake of the opposition’s campaign for Yeddyurappa’s ouster over an alleged land scam.

“The consultation was held by the party president. He will be discussing what he has discussed with them with other senior leaders in Delhi. A decision will be taken by the central leaders of the party after further discussions. As and when we have some thing to tell you, we will tell you,” Jaitley told reporters after the meeting.

Thursday, the BJP’s core group had met to discuss the developments in the wake of the opposition offensive seeking the chief minister’s removal.

The core group decided to hear out Yeddyurappa and other senior party leaders and then decide the next course of action.

Meanwhile, the state government Thursday decided to order a probe by a retired Supreme Court judge into all land deals in and around Bangalore in the last ten years.

Ahead of his Delhi visit, Yeddyurappa made his two sons, daughter, sister and her son and daughter-in-law surrender the residential and commercial land allotted to them.

According to party sources, though the allegations against the chief minister had created “difficulties” for the party, he may not be replaced.

The sources said that Yeddyruppa continued to be the most popular leader of the party in the state and there was sympathy for him among a section of people who feel he was being targeted by his opponents.

“Removing him at this stage looks a little adventurous,” a party leader told IANS.

He said that a formula is likely to be worked out where Yeddyurappa may be asked to be “more open and transparent in his financial dealings” and take steps to hold proper consultations so that the state unit functions as a team.

According to the party leader, Yeddyurappa was a tall leader of the Lingayat community and choosing an alternative to him was not easy.

“The options for the party for a change of leadership are not easy. The party has to look at the future repercussions of a change,” he said.