Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Jan 21: BJP leader and former minister, V Somanna, who was considered very close to state president of the BJP, B S Yeddyurappa, since he crossed over from the Congress, has raised the banner of revolt against Yeddyurappa's style of functioning. This comes close on the heels of Eshwarappa's anger at Yeddyurappa. It has to be seen as to whether Yeddyurappa will be jolted by these developments.

There are rumours that Somanna is angry at efforts being made to pit his nephew as a potential leader opposite him. It is said that Somanna's nephew, Rajendra Kumar, who was in an important position in commercial tax department, has recently resigned to fulfill his political ambitions. Somanna firmly believes that Yeddyurappa and people close to him have been trying to corner him by giving importance to his nephew.

Somanna with Yeddyurappa- File photo

"Yeddyurappa is susceptible to information provided and advice given by unscrupulous people who have been feeding him with wrong information and advice. Unless he changes his functioning style, people will kick him out," Somanna, who was once an admirer of Yeddyprappa, said. He added that problem in the party is at the top level alone and problems within the party need to be handled by people in responsible positions. "As soon as rumours spread that I would be joining the Congress, union minister, Anant Kumar, some other leaders, and chief minister of Madhya Pradesh, contacted me over phone and spoke to me. At the same time, people here, who have been associated with me since long, did not even show the courtesy of contacting me on the issue," he rued.

Somanna said that almost all the leaders including Anant Kumar, Ashok and Shettar have been maintaining good relationship with him and that BJP has given him everything. He clarified that he had spoken to chief minister, Siddaramaiah, on the day of funeral of former minister, Mahadeva Prasad, but the issue of crossing over to Congress was never discussed. "Rumours about my deserting BJP are being spread. I have never said that I will leave BJP. There are confusions within the party, and some people are taking advantage of the situation to spread rumours. I have some other plans, and everything will become crystal clear within a couple of days," he added.

Somanna felt that Eshwarappa and Yeddyurappa are unnecessarily blowing up issues at their district level. He said the two leaders will settle the contentious issues themselves.

Former deputy chief minister, R Ashoka, has been entrusted with the responsibility of convincing Somanna to remain in the party. Ashoka, who said that there are some issues to be sorted out relating to Somanna, has conveyed details of developments to national president of BJP, Amit Shah, thorugh Anant Kumar. It is said that he also has requested Somanna to speak to Shah. Ashoka said that all the leaders will be present at the state executive being held at Kalaburagi on Saturday and that Somanna will remain in the party.