BJP rift: Amit Shah gags BS Yeddyurappa detractors

Bengaluru: He may have given them a  patient hearing, but BJP national president Amit Shah has imposed a gag order on detractors of  state unit chief B.S.Yeddyurappa, asking them  not to go public with their complaints.

Opposition leader in the Legislative Council, K.S. Eshwarappa and former minister C.T .Ravi met  Mr. Amit Shah in Delhi on July 29 to complain about Mr Yeddyurappa taking unilateral decisions in appointing BJP district and state office bearers and his refusal to discuss important issues with the core committee, according to party sources.

While categorically refusing to direct Mr Yeddyurappa to redo the office bearers list, which he allegedly prepared without consulting core committee members, Mr Shah reportedly pulled up the two leaders for  going to the media with their grievances.

Going by a  senior party leader, he also  assured them that he would instruct Mr Yeddyurappa to take all  leaders into confidence before taking major decisions.
In fact, he is said to have informed them about  summoning Mr Yeddyurappa to his home and explaining what the party expected of him as the BJP state unit president even before his meeting with them.

The BJP president reportedly said he had already instructed Mr Yeddurappa to work with state leaders and consult the core committee before taking important decisions.

“It was a positive meeting and could reflect in the party organization in future. Mr. Shah  appreciated that the complaints were made in the interest of party," said a supporter of Mr Eshwarappa.

However,  Yeddyurappa loyalists seemed confident that the party’s central leadership would not interfere in the affairs of the state BJP. “Even if his opponents  take hundred of complaints to Delhi, the party central leadership will not entertain them,” they asserted.