B L Santhosh's barb rattles B S Yeddyurappa coterie

BENGALURU: BJP national joint secretary (Organization) and South India in-charge B.L . Santhosh’s barb against state unit president B.S. Yeddyurappa, fortified with Chanakya’s  famous quote, “Those who don’t believe in team spirit and not ready to share laurels cannot achieve success,” has brought to the fore differences within the state unit of the party and set off a debate among leaders about a looming leadership crisis in Karnataka. 

Evidently upset about the functioning of the state unit after two unsuccessful attempts – first to oust the coalition headed by Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy and the second to secure the post of Mayor in BBMP, Mr. Santhosh  expressed his displeasure over the manner in which the state unit was handling issues through his post on Facebook. Though he did not take potshots at the state unit president or any other office bearers, his post was aimed at Mr Yeddyurappa and his coterie. Many leaders in the state unit, however, misinterpreted his quotes as attack against former deputy chief minister R. Ashok for his failure to secure the Mayor’s post ahead of next year’s elections to Lok Sabha. 

In fact, Mr. Santhosh’s post puts down Mr Yeddyurappa for denting the image of party. The post, however, has been interpreted by sources in the party as an attempt by Mr Santosh to settle scored with Mr Yeddyurappa who ensured that the former has no role in the state unit affairs since Assembly polls held earlier this year. 

Sources said Mr. Santhosh had tried his best to gain a strong hold over the state unit affairs in the party but national President Amit Shah reportedly told the former that it would be improper to create hurdles for Mr Yeddyurappa before Lok Sabha polls in 2019.   Mr Santhosh’s loyalists are active and giving feedback to him about leadership crisis in the party. 

Being a in charge of BJP Southern state, he heard the grievances of party cadres.  After Mr. Yeddyurappa's attempt to secure another term as Chief Minister failed,  loyal cadre of Mr. Santhosh complained that the  party image has been dented.  Following this episode, Mr. Ashok caused more damage to the image of the party through an unsuccessfully contested Mayoral post in BBMP last week. Such developments prompted Mr. Santhosh to take to Facebook and post his comments, sources added.