The knives are out once again. The state BJP is in for a public showdown. BS Yeddiyurappa, the party president and KS Eshwarappa, leader of opposition in the legislative council are at draggers drawn. They are fighting like cats and dogs. KS Eshwarappa is performing as a leader of the opposition to his own party. The Sangolli Rayanna brigade is the bone of contention. The Sangolli Rayanna brigade is proving albatross around the neck for Eshwarappa. The acrimony between the two leaders is too well-known. It even warranted the intervention of the party high command in the past to buy peace. This has not worked either.
But this time the animosity between them has crossed the boundaries of discipline in the party and they are flexing their muscles quite openly and to the amusement of all. This has made the opposition - Congress and JD (U) to rub hands in glee. And they are waiting in the wings to grab the spoils of this stand off in the assembly election which is staring at them just next year.
This stand off that too quite openly could have been avoided. This is causing lot of embarrassment to the cadres. It saps their motivation and zeal to work for the party. What is most intriguing and bizarre in this sordid drama is, the silence of the BJP high command. Why is it allowing this spectacle to continue? Is it beyond its power and authority? No. It is definitely not beyond Modi-Shah might to rein in the warring leaders. There must be a method in the madness of this silence.
BJP high command is perhaps doing a very delicate balancing act. It doesn't want to be seen as in support of either leader. It therefore has rapped on the knuckles of both the leaders by divesting the responsibilities of two followers each from their groups. It has left the leaders untouched probably fearing the numbers of the communities they represent. At this point it doesn't want to rub them on the wrong side. It is also not a secret anymore in the party that national joint secretary (orgn) Mr. B L Santhosh is fomenting trouble between the two leaders in the hope that he may be anointed to the top job if the party comes to power in the next election. He has started his game well in advance.
Whatever may be the scenario, the silence of the high command so far, amidst this storm has baffled many in their own party. There may be a dark horse. Another Yogi from RSS stable may spring up. But, whatever may be the game plan of the high command, this fight between the two leaders will going to dent the party. And the assembly election in the state is exactly a year away. Memory by then may be still fresh in the minds of the people. This washing the dirty linen in public may prove too costly for a party hoping for a comeback in the state.
K.N.Krishnan. 94496 12446