Friend of an enemy is an enemy, warns BS Yeddyurappa

BENGALURU: Facing a rebellion in the party from one of his former rivals, state BJP president B.S. Yeddyurappa on Saturday sent out a stern message to his critic that the party would not tolerate such activities by anyone, "however big they are".

These leaders, particularly leader of Opposition in the Legislative Council, K S Eshwarappa, are demanding a rollback of appointments of office bearers on grounds that the issue was not discussed by members of the core committee, Mr Yeddyurappa has adopted a firm posture while addressing a meeting of office bearers.

Without mentioning the name of any leader, he warned "Anti-party activities will not be tolerated. For this purpose, I will be announcing a disciplinary committee. Anyone, however big they are or whatever the reason may be, if they involve in anti-party activities, they will not be pardoned. If you have any problem, come let us sit together and discuss it. Instead, if statements are issued, they will create confusion," he added.

Mr Eshwarappa skipped the meeting on Saturday but others including party's state in-charge P Muralidhara Rao, Union ministers Ananth Kumar, Sadananda Gowda and Siddeshwara, and leader of Opposition Jagadish Shettar participated in it.

Mr Yeddyurappa also slammed the media saying "small issues" were being highlighted though infighting within the Congress and JD(S) was more intense.

Warnings by Mr Yeddyurappa notwithstanding, rebel leaders hardened their stand demanding a change in the list of office bearers. Mr. Eshwarappa skipped the state office bearers meeting and stated that the list must be revised after consultation with members of the core committee. Several second rung leaders C.T. Ravi, Banuprakash, Nirmal Kumar Surana, Shivayogiswamy, Sogadu Shivanna, Somanna Bevinamarda and others had attended the meeting.

Sources close to BSY's main rival in Shimoga stated "if Mr Yeddyurappa refuses to budge, we will be left with no but approach central leaders as well as top leaders of RSS in Nagpur."

With national joint secretary (organization), Santosh, backing the rebel group, Mr Eshwarappa's group is not ready to give up their fight till Mr Yeddyurappa revises the list, sources added.