Rebel' KS Eshwarappa, defunct core panel: RSS not amused

Bengaluru: Leaders of RSS, who have taken note of the standoff between state BJP president B S Yeddyurappa and leader of Opposition in the Legislative Council, K S Eshwarappa, are likely to advise the state unit of BJP to function in a democratic manner.

A BJP leader told DC that RSS leaders are not worried about Mr Eshwarappa's support for the fledgling Sangolli Rayanna Brigade (SRB), but concerned about the fact that the party's core committee has turned defunct. “Unfortunately, the core committee has not met for long time. This has led to state unit president taking decisions based on inputs given by office bearers. The party's central leadership set up the core committee and empowered it to function as a policy making body. Based on its decisions, office bearers have to execute the decisions. This democratic process, however, is not witnessed in Karnataka. Therefore, the leaders are worried.”

The quarterly meeting of heads of RSS and its frontal organisations may discuss this issue in brief and in all probability, leaders may advise Mr Yeddyurappa to accord primacy to the core committee. Asked why a dormant core committee should be a cause of concern than SRB,  sources explained that the core committee could discuss,  if need be, activities of Sangolli Rayanna Brigade and give directions to Mr Eshwarappa on what he should do and what tantamount to anti-party activity. The co‘re committee can also discuss the political strategy to set right the sagging image of the state unit and therefore, the party top brass and RSS reportedly worried more about the core committee than SRB. So, at Tuesday's meeting, Mr Yeddyurappa may be advised to adhere to the party's directions, sources explained.

Meanwhile, the quarterly meeting of heads of RSS and its frontal organisations may discuss the recent development in BJP and advice Mr Yeddyurappa, who is likely to represent the party at the meeting.

Top sources in BJP explained the format of the meeting and said that heads of every frontal organisation would present reports on work completed during the last quarter and would table an action plan for the next quarter. Heads of other organisations who take part in the meeting may give suggestions on the future strategies of other organisations. In the meeting, the BJP may get 45-minutes to an-hour time slot during which, generally, the  party president would not talk but listen to suggestions given by others. 

The meeting would not give any directions to BJP in this forum even though RSS state unit seems seized of the internal dissension. However, considering the gravity of the situation leaders of other frontal organisations may raise the issue and offer their views which would reflect the RSS' point of view.

Rift in open
Differences between supporters of Mr Yeddyurappa and Mr Eshwarappa came out in the open at a press conference called by district BJP president S. Rudre Gowda and former MP Ayanur Manjunath on Monday. Mr Manjunath said,  “Mr Eshwarappa has set up SRB to realise his selfish desire of becoming Chief Minister. A conspiracy is being hatched to prevent Mr Yeddyurappa from becoming CM.” District BJP chief Rudre Gowda said, “I am upset with Mr Eshwarappa’s words that I have become a hurdle for him.” Some BJP leaders, including Girish Patel, walked out of the press conference.

BSY calls meet
Meanwhile Mr Yeddyurappa convened a meeting on January 19 to hear the grievances of those who reportedly wrote a letter against his style of functioning. He invited all those who reportedly signed the letter to the meeting so that they can express their views, and he could take corrective action if need be. Sources said Mr Yeddyurappa fixed a meeting a day before the co-ordination committee meeting of frontal organisations of RSS, in order to send a message to RSS and party top brass that he was democratic and would not hesitate to take every one who matters into confidence.