Betrayed in 2007, BS Yeddyurappa ready to forget it all, tie up with JD(S)

Bengaluru: Even before taking over as BJP state party president for the third time, former Chief Minister Mr B.S. Yeddyurappa has decided to bury the hatchet with the JD(S), which had betrayed him in 2007 denying him the CM post and even played a role in him going to jail over land denotification charges.

As part of a pre-poll alliance package he has mooted, Mr Yeddyurappa has convinced the BJP and RSS leadership on the importance of having JD(S) on their side and has suggested that they offer  a Rajya Sabha berth to party state president Mr H.D. Kumaraswamy along with a Union Cabinet berth.

The issue, which was under wrap for many days, was discussed in New Delhi last week, when Union Finance Minister Mr Arun Jaitley called on former Prime Minister Mr H.D. Deve Gowda. Though Mr Gowda responded positively, a final decision is yet to be taken, sources said.

Mr Yeddyurappa has proposed a plan of action to the party top brass, which includes a truce with JD(S). At the moment, JD(S) is in a dilemma over maintaining its secular credentials and political future. In most places, where it is strong, JD(S) is facing stiff competition from  Congress and not BJP. Barring Old-Mysuru region, JD(S) does not have much clout elsewhere in the state. Candidates who have won polls in Mumbai-Karnataka and Hyderabad-Karnataka region on a JD(S) ticket, have done so on their own strength. Besides, holding on to its secular credentials has not helped the party in getting minority, backward class or Dalit votes. Instead, the Congress has managed to successfully work on every caste combination the JD(S) had earlier worked on. BJP is facing trouble in holding on to its bastions in Hyderabad-Karnataka and Old-Mysuru region, barring Bengaluru city. To overcome the weakeness in Old-Mysuru, Mr Yeddyurappa has proposed joining hands with JD(S), while, he has his own plans for Hyderabad-Karnataka region, sources disclosed.

Besides, Janata Dal (Secular) is facing internal bickering. The division among the legislators may force Mr Gowda and his children to take crucial decisions to prevent the party from falling apart during the 2018 general elections. While Congress has time and again talked of secular forces joining hands, the ‘Siddaramaiah factor’ is hurting JD(S) more than helping it. Knowing the situation the JD(S) is in, the BJP has made the proposal, sources said, adding it is upto Mr Gowda to bite the bait.