Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Sep 17: State president of BJP, B S Yeddyurappa, has made up his mind to fight the coming assembly election from north Karnataka. Yeddyurappa took this decision after party's national president, Amit Shah, called him over phone during the core committee meeting held here on Saturday night, and advised him to choose a constitueency in northern Karnataka this time. Yedduyurappa said he has given his nod as he believes that his interests are in line with those of the party.

North Karnataka is being dubbed as backbone of BJP because most of its people's representatives get elected from this region. BJP leaders believe that Congress leaders raised the issue of independent religion tag for Lingayat with the sole purpose of breaking the backbone of BJP. Party's Karnataka in-charge leaders, Prakash Javadekar and Piyush Goyal jointly appealed to Yeddyurappa to destroy this strategy by fighting the coming election from north Karnataka. As Amit Shah too called Yeddyurappa and reiterated this demand, Yeddyurappa readily agreed, it is gathered.

Shah, it is said, told Yeddyurappa that he is aware of the strong bond of attachment Yeddyurappa has with Shikaripur constituency. He impressed upo Yeddyurappa to realize that need of the hour is to get elected from a constituency in North Karnataka. Yeddyurappa too readily responded by saying that he holds interests of the party ahead of others and that he would be bound by the decision taken by the party. Sources said that Shah did not bring any pressure on Yeddyurappa but convinced him of his view by placing before him facts in a solemn manner.

Some analyze this exercise to be a clear message from the top leadership of the party that no candidate should be stuck with their specific constituencies. The party also desires to drive home the point that those who want their secure constituencies should abandon their plan to fight election and work for the success of other candidates. Yeddyurappa's admissionl to change his favourite constituency is also being seen as a message to workers that their lobbying will not bring fruits, taking the example of the state president. It is being speculated that Yeddyurappa will fight from Badami constituency in Bagalkot district. This constituency is being represented by former minister, B B Chimmanakatti now, and recently Yeddurappa had been invited by booth level committees there to enter the fray from there. Yeddyurappa has so far not fought from any constituency other than Shikaripur assembly constituency and Shivamogga Lok Sabha constituency.