‘Sweet news in first week of 2014’

Bangalore: The homecoming of former Chief Minister B.S.Yeddyurappa will be a big affair with Davanagere likely to host the programme on January 11.

The Lingayat strongman is expecting a formal invitation from the state BJP on January 2 after which the formaliities for the merger will be finalised.

Davanagere is considered a central location for all districts. Yeddyurappa also wields considerable clout in Davangere and surrounding districts.

At a recent  KJP meeting at his residence, leaders had suggested three places for the merger rally— Tumkur, Shimoga and Davangere. The former CM told his supporters that since the BJP’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi has already addressed a mega rally at Bangalore with people from nearby districts attending that rally in large numbers, the capital could not be the venue.

Nor could Shimoga, his hometown  host the event as it was not centrally located. He felt  Davangere was ideal for the rally as his supporters from Mumbai Karnataka, Hubli-Dharwad, Haveri, Chitradurga, Gadag, Shimoga and Tumkur districts could easily attend the rally. Davanagere enjoys good rail connectivity to both north and southern Karnataka.

For the homecoming rally, Yeddyurappa will invite all state leaders and party national President Rajnath Singh.

BSY entry will further spoil BJP image: Siddu

Bangalore: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said on Monday that the return of B.S. Yeddyurappa to BJP would not have any impact in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls in the state but would only sully the image of saffron party further.

"The joining of Yeddyurappa in BJP will not make any impact in Karnataka. On the other hand, the BJP's image will be further damaged," he told reporters here after the inauguration of Traffic Management Centre. Yeddyurappa's return would only benefit the Congress party, Siddaramaiah said.

"The BJP was saying it had removed Yeddyurappa after he was imprisoned, but now is inviting him. So what will happen to the party," he wondered.