Bengaluru: Former minister V. Somanna was once a permanent feature whenever B.S. Yeddyurappa, the BJP state president was around addressing press conferences. Not anymore with the MLC exploring ways to join the Congress which he had quit a decade ago. Which explains why the BJP mascot is trying his best to mend fences with his comrade-in-arms by making him the in-charge for the Nanjangud bypoll, along with Udupi-Chikkamagaluru MP Shobha Karandlaje.
Yeddyurappa knows the dangers of being labelled a leader lacking the ability to take everyone along which could deprive him of the coveted CM post in 2018. So soon after meeting his fellow Shivamogga politician K.S. Eshwarappa to paper out differences, Yeddyurappa rushed to Somanna’s residence to have dinner with him. What could have weighed on the BJP’ chief’s mind is the need to come out with flying colours in the Nanjangud and Gundlupet bypolls. Both constituencies have a substantial number of Lingayats-the community he and Somanna belong to.
Last month, Somanna had made a bid to join the Congress but his efforts went in vain after housing minister M. Krishnappa opposed his entry. Meanwhile party insiders warned Yeddyurappa about the damage to the BJP if Somanna quit the party. "Despite Krishnappa’s reservations, he could still join the Congress and contest from a constituency in Chamarajanagar, denting the BJP’s vote bank. This was enough to make Yeddyurappa cosy up to Somanna,” sources explained. During his visit to the Somanna residence, Yeddyurappa reportedly told him that he should not quit the BJP and assured him that the issue of contesting the assembly elections from the constituency he wished, would be decided before the polls. Soon after that, Somanna who was missing from the party office for a long time, participated in the induction of former minister, K. Jayaprakash Hegde into the BJP on Wednesday.
Another reason: Yeddyurappa does not want adverse report to do the rounds as the central leadership has decided to focus on Karnataka affairs after the five state polls. So, he decided to bury the hatchet with his detractors, sources explained.
