Bengaluru: Senior BJP leader and former Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa on Friday called a crucial meeting of BJP MLAs in Bengaluru to discuss “Operation Hasta” or “Reverse Operation Lotus” and to take preventive measures against BJP leaders joining Congress ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.
Former ministers and BJP MLAs S.T. Somashekar and Bhyrati Basavaraj remained absent during the meeting held at the residence of Yediyurappa. Both leaders, who jumped to BJP in 2019 and became ministers, are now rumoured to be rejoining the ruling party.
Sources said that Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah are at loggerheads over rejoining Basavaraj, representing the K.R. Puram seat in Bengaluru, back to Congress. Meanwhile, Somashekar addressed Shivakumar as his “guru” (mentor) and showered praises on him, which strengthened the rumour.
Former Ministers Munirathna and K. Gopalaiah were also on the list of BJP MLAs being speculated to join the Congress. They later clarified that they would continue to stay in the BJP and sit in the Opposition for the next five years.
Speaking after the meeting, Yediyurappa maintained that “all is well” within the party and said that the meeting was organised hastily and those who were available attended the meeting.
“No one is leaving the BJP party. Everyone is with us. As the matter was conveyed urgently, all leaders couldn’t attend it. One or two leaders are worried about certain factors, so I will call them and personally speak to them. I can assure that no one is leaving the party,” Yediyurappa said.
Yediyurappa charged that the Congress government has “gone pauper”. “No development work is undertaken and it is mired in corruption. A massive protest would be organised on Aug 23 in Bengaluru. If the government is still adamant the protest will be launched across the state,” he added.
“The government is acting like a dictator. The threats are given for social media posts and media persons are also harassed. The BJP is staging a protest against all these matters,” Yediyurappa stated.
Former Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said that he had discussed the matter with BJP MLAs S.T. Somashekar and Shivaram Hebbar. “We are in touch with all leaders and no one is quitting BJP. The local problems have been brought to the notice of the State President. The Congress wants to divert attention from the allegation of corruption, favoritism, and rebellion of their own MLAs,” he said.
Sources said that the Congress party is all set to carry out “Operation Hast” through which more than 15 leaders from BJP and JD (S) would be poached. The leaders are already being approached and further talks about their positions are being talked about with them, they added.
With inputs from IANS