Yediyurappa camp launches campaign against leadership change in Karnataka

Bengaluru: A team of legislators, who support Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa has launched an all-out campaign seeking support for him. The campaign surfaced after the BJP high command decided to change the leadership in the state.

On Monday, senior BJP leader Basavaraj Patil Yatnal said that BJP's central leadership will choose a new CM who is honest, pro-Hindu and able to bring BJP back to power.

Sources from Yediyurappa's camp said that RSS leaders and senior leaders in New Delhi were warned of the consequences if Yediyurappa was forced to resign. The group is planning to initiate a movement through religious seers of various Veerashaiva-Lingayat mutts across the state. The team is planning to ask the BJP High Command to shelve the plans of leadership change in the state. Sources from the group warned that the party would severely suffer in Karnataka otherwise.

As of date, no senior leaders from the BJP have come to the fore supporting Yediyurappa though he had proclaimed that he would continue in the CM's chair for another two years.

Senior Congress leader Shamanur Shivashankarappa warned that BJP would be doomed in Karnataka if Yediyurappa is asked to vacate CM's chair. He added that BJP leaders should search history and learn the consequences of disturbing Lingayat Leadership, and if Yediyurappa is removed, the community will give a befitting answer to the party.

Former CM and Congress leader Siddaramaiah said that a corrupt CM and his corrupt government leaving is good. His party is ready for polls any time, but they don't feel elections are close. He says BJP will appoint another if they remove Yediyurappa.

In the meantime, Yediyurappa ordered the release of Rs 1,277 crore MLA funds through the rural development department, allegedly as an effort to appease BJP MLA's as the legislature party meeting is scheduled on July 26.