Karnataka: Amit Shah gave nod for Brigade's activity, says KS Eshwarappa

Bengaluru: The confrontation between the BJP rebels and the party central leadership continued on Sunday with general secretary in- charge of Karnataka Muralidhar Rao  ruling out the need for any parallel forum (read the Sangolli Rayanna Brigade) while defiant Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Council K.S. Eshwarappa differed claiming that BJP national president Amit Shah had given him permission to hold activities of the apolitical brigade.

On Saturday night, Rao, after meeting senior leaders, directed the state unit to relieve four leaders-two from each camp- of their responsibilities  to strike a balance. While MLC Bhanuprakash and Nirmal Kumar Surana (both identified with the rebel group) have been relieved from the posts of BJP state vice-presidents, former minister M.P. Renukacharya and former MLC G Madhusudhan (followers of state president B.S. Yeddyurappa) have been relieved from the posts of vice-president of BJP Raitha Morcha and party spokesperson.

Yeddyurappa met and discussed with Rao recent developments on Saturday night before leaving for Shivamogga while Eshwarappa skipped the meeting with him citing 'non-availability of time'. He reportedly attended a wedding reception in Bengaluru Saturday night, and went to attend a function in Tumakuru where he had a round of talks with rebel leaders.

He told reporters in Tumakuru that Rao cannot take action against him since he had not done anything to harm party interests. He added that he had worked as state president and had held several party positions but never indulged in anti-party activity.

Eshwarappa differed with state BJP general secretary Arvind Limbavali's statement asking BJP cadre not to get involved in Sangolli Rayanna Brigade’s activities, and said  Limbavali knew nothing about the meeting which happened in Delhi in the last week of January. According to him, Shah had given the green signal to go ahead with the brigade’s activities without making it a political forum. “Relieving Bhanuprakash and Surana from their posts has pained me a lot. I am optimistic that party leaders will withdraw the order at the earliest.”

Eshwarappa also said he was disappointed that Rao  did not invite leaders of both factions to patch up differences. Meanwhile, Rao while talking to reporters said  "I reiterate that there is no need for anybody to float a parallel forum or brigade outside the party. This is the instruction from the central leadership. This instruction is not Karnataka-specific but is applicable to other states as well.”

Rao also declared that the BJP in Karnataka under the leadership of  Yeddyurappa would  intensify its struggle against the misrule of the state government and would ensure that the state becomes Congress-mukt in the Assembly elections. Asserting that the BJP was the only national party which functions purely on the principles of ‘true internal democracy,’ he said, “ It is quite natural that there will be issues when the party is active and vibrant. We have successfully faced such issues in the past.”

“Being Prabhari, I am available to people, party workers and activists on issues related to the functioning of the party. I don't want any leader to discuss party issues in the streets or via the media," he added.

Senior leaders have advised all leaders not to cross the 'Lakshman Rekha' or to go to the media on developments within the party. The high command was keenly observing everything and would take the right decision at the right time, they added.

Santosh still guides rebels
Sources claimed that BJP national joint general secretary B.L. Santosh who has been accused of 'masterminding' the rebellion in the party, reportedly met some rebel leaders and asked them not to meet Rao. He also told them that he knew many leaders in Delhi and efforts would be made to contact Shah. For this reason, no rebel leader  poured out their woes to Rao, said sources.