With BJP President Nitin Gadkari ruling out any change in the leadership for now, detractors in the party had no choice but to 'fall in line'

Panchayat polls a relief for Yeddy

With BJP President Nitin Gadkari ruling out any change in the leadership for now, detractors in the party had no choice but to 'fall in line'

The panchyat polls seem to have come as a lifeline for Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa. Sources say that he seems to be banking on favourable results, while Congress and JD(S) are uncertain about the electoral alliance.

Welcome sir: CM Yeddyurappa wanted to impress Nitin Gadkari, who
is know for his expertise in urban infrastructure, by inviting him to
inaugrate a grade separator in Nayandahalli. Pic/Satish Badiger

The election commission hurriedly announced the schedule of the polls to be held on December 26 and 31, yesterday. While his detractors in the BJP seemed to have stumped by the move, the opposition parties look like they were caught unaware, because they were not expecting them so early.

BJP national president Nitin Gadkari was in the city yesterday, and Yeddyurappa's rival camp was ready with their case, but the entire scene turned to poll mode and they had to 'fall in line'.

Greetings all around
It seems like Yeddyurappa wanted to impress Gadkari, who is know for his expertise in urban infrastructure, as he was PWD minister of Maharashtra earlier, by inviting him to inaugrate a grade separator in Nayanda Halli. But, he had to change the idea because ofu00a0 the election code of conduct. Gadkari inspected the ongoing projects before lauding the government's efforts in this regard.u00a0u00a0

"Not that we were not expecting the polls, but the announcement coincided with Gadkari's visit. So we had to keep silent on the issue of change of leadership. But we will restart our efforts after the elections," said a legislator from the Reddy camp.

Gadkari, who met party members, insisted on working for the victory. So there was no no room for them voicing their opinions that were not related to the polls.

"Our present objective is to win the polls and the others issues will follow after the election process.

I have called upon the leaders to collectively work towards the common objective," said Gadkari.

Waiting game
However, no one from Reddy camp was seen in the meetings yesterday. While Tourism minister G Janardana Reddy andu00a0 Sriramulau, Health minister, were away in Europe, his brother G Karunakara Reddy, Revenue minister, did not bother to turn up even when he was in the state.

"It depends on the polls results. If the BJP emerges victorious, Yeddyuprappa will take all the credit, and it would be difficult to replace him.

u00a0If that doesn't happen, we can hope for a change," said the legislator.

"There is a difference of opinion in the party over the alliance, and the majority is against it," said Venkateswar, a Congress office bearer. "We don't have much time since the polls are so close."

Congress insiders said a group led by Siddaramaiah, that migrated to the party from JD(S), were in favour with the alliance, while the original Congress leaders were opposing it.u00a0

While JD(S) has a strong base in the districts such as Hasan, Mandya, Bangalore (Rural), and Tumkur, the alliance with Congress is expected to work in defeating the BJP. But time is running out for the opposition parties.

"We will decide in a day or two," said G Parameswar, state Congress president. "We have left this for the high command, to decide."

Though he said he was not interested in the alliance, H D Kuamraswamy, state president, JD(S) added, "Let the Congress make their intentions clear. We will talk about it then."

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