BANGALORE: The BJP national leadership has decided to play it safe, at least for the time being, on former chief minister B S Yeddyurappa’s demand for a suitable post. For, the party, though is firm on retaining Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda in office for the remaining tenure, has been reluctant to come on record about Yeddyurappa’s position in the party.It was evident by the fact that the party national leadership did not consider the demand of Sadananda Gowda and state BJP president K S Eshwarappa to issue a media statement on Yeddyurappa’s position to clear the air on the leadership issue. Both Gowda and Eshwarappa’s main purpose of the visit was to ensure that the party leadership sent a clear message to Yeddyurappa and his supporters.According to sources, the party leadership has advised the duo who met them in Delhi on Wednesday to sort out “whatever issues there in the state BJP” through talks and the party leadership would intervene only if the situation went out of hand.However, sources maintain that the party had given a clear assurance to Gowda about his continuation in office, expressing happiness over his administration. Meanwhile, Eshwarappa termed his visit to Delhi successful and said, “Our visit was fruitful. Party leaders have given a clear indication that there will be no change in leadership in the state.”Back home, Yeddyurappa held a meeting with his supporters at his Dollars Colony residence. Though the meeting was called to discuss the leadership issue, it turned out to be a “Gowda bashing” meeting.According to sources, Yeddyurappa and his supporters were angry with Gowda’s “changed attitude”. The anger was there to see when Excise Minister M P Renukacharya sought to remind Gowda that he was what he was today because of Yeddyurappa. “Gowda should not forget that he became the CM because of Yeddyurappa,” Renukacharya told reporters after the meeting. He also reiterated that Yeddyurappa was the undisputed leader of the state BJP.They however decided to wait for the outcome of Gowda and Eshwarappa’s Delhi visit before deciding on anything. The Yeddyurappa group also decided against taking any hasty decision after realising the damage caused by their decision to boycott L K Advani’s recent public rally in Bangalore.Others at the meeting were ministers Umesh Katti, V Somanna, C M Udasi and Shobha Karandlaje.
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