Bangalore: It may seem an irony but BJP bigwigs considered opponents of former Chief Minister B.S.Yeddyurappa have successfully grabbed the credit for ensuring a smooth homecoming for him.
On the other hand, leaders like former Chief Minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda who successfully prevailed on the Central leadership to bring BSY back to the BJP were not part of the delegation which met Yeddyurappa at a private hotel on Thursday.
Second rung leaders in the BJP are reportedly upset with party seniors for not including them in the delegation which went to meet Yeddyurappa. Sources said former minister Aravind Limbavali was involved in a war of words with state chief Prahlad Joshi for not including him in the delegation.
Limbavali reportedly told Joshi that it was not proper for only core committee leaders to meet Yeddyurappa, when second rung leaders had fought for the reinduction.
Former CM Sadananda Gowda was in Mangalore to attend a protest rally of arecanut growers and expressed his inability to be part of the delegation. Without waiting for Gowda, other core committee leaders decided to meet Yeddyurappa on Thursday evening which might have upset the former CM.
Former deputy CM R. Ashok missed the meeting. It is a known fact that Ashok was not in favour of the reinduction. Sources close to Ashok said that if Yeddyurappa returns to the party, Sadananda Gowda may get stronger in the BJP.
Ashok reportedly does not want any other Vokkaliga leader to interfere in the party's Bangalore affairs. Sadananda Gowda and KJP leader Shobha Karandlaje are Vokkaligas and are looking to make a foray into Bangalore which Ashok is not keen on, said sources.
