“Yediyurappa Kaayo Thandhe” – Delhi wants BSY to handle crisis

S. A. Hemanth

Bengaluru, April 12: Now it is time for – ‘Yediyurappa Kaayo Thandhe” – for the BJP’s Central Leadership.

Stung and shocked by the intense rebellion by senior BJP leaders as well as cadre over the ticket distribution, the party’s Central leadership has sought the help of former Chief Minister B. S. Yediyurappa to quell the rebellion and restore normalcy in the state unit.

Four senior leaders of the party – K. S. Eshwarappa, Lakshman Savadi, Jagadish Shettar and S. Angara – are miffed over the denial of ticket in their respective constituencies. While Angara and Eshwarappa have announced their retirement from electoral politics, Shettar and Savadi have given indication that they might contest as independents.

Party’s Delhi bosses have sought the help of Yediyurappa to quell rebellion and bring everybody on board. BJP sources told The Newz Peg that national President J. P. Nadda called Yediyurappa on Wednesday morning and discussed with him the ways and means to end this crisis.

“Only you can handle the situation which is threatening to go beyond control. We don’t want any kind of crisis in state when the Prime Minister and Home Minister commence the campaign in a few days. Before the actual electioneering starts, we want you to take charge and restore normalcy in the state unit,” Nadda told Yediyurappa, during his 15-minute tele-conversation.

Yediyurappa, on his part, assured Nadda that “he will put his best foot forward and walk that extra mile” to assuage the hurt feelings of the leaders and workers. “I will pour every ounce of my energy to prevent further damage and rectify the situation. I have already started the initiative to speak to many people, including workers and leaders,” Yediyurappa told Nadda.

Following this call from the party’s national President, Yediyurappa immediately called N. R. Ramesh –who is angry for not getting Jayanagar ticket, spoke to Kalakappa Bandi, S. Angara and other senior leaders. He has convened a meeting of senior leaders this evening to work out ways and means to halt the crisis.

Ultimately, the BJP has realized, perhaps, in a hard way that it is only the tried and tested leader who can handle crisis not ‘rootless’ functionaries.

EOM