BJP in the lurch as its Sainika' goes missing'

Bengaluru: The absence of former Channapatna MLA C P Yogeshwar from BJP programmes has become a point of worry for the party. 

Mr Yogeshwar had chalked out a padayatra from Ramanagara to Bengaluru demanding full waiver of crop loans but did not lead the rally much to the surprise of everyone. In his absence, other BJP leaders like MLC Tejaswini Ramesh took leadership of the rally till it reached the Freedom Park in Bengaluru. 

It may be a surprise for Bharatiya Janata Party leaders but Mr Yogeshwar's followers know that their leader goes 'missing' at times.

A leader closed to ‘Sainika’ (a name attached to Mr Yogeshwar for playing the role of an Indian soldier in a film) told Deccan Chronicle that Yogeshwar was still in the BJP but had gone into hibernation after his humiliating defeat in Channapatna at the hands of Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy in the assembly polls. He had never expected such a defeat after his development works, mainly filling up of tanks in Channapatna taluk. 

“Our leader will take a call on joining a new party only at the time of elections. Going by that yardstick,  he is yet to make up his mind on joining a new party,” sources added.

The BJP is keen on retaining Mr Yogeshwar since he is a popular Vokkaliga leader in Channapatna and can take on both the Congress and JD(S) singlehandedly. 

Besides,  if the BJP has to make its debut in Vokkaliga dominated Ramanagara district, it is possible only through Mr Yogeshwar. 

He declined to contest when the BJP wanted him to fight the Ramanagaram bypoll to be held soon following the resignation of Mr Kumaraswamy.  Mr Yogeshwar knows well that he cannot take on Ms Anitha Kumaraswamy, the probable candidate of the  JD(S)-Congress coalition and has already conveyed  this message to state BJP President B.S. Yeddyurappa. This has made the party look out for another candidate for Ramanagara seat.