Incumbent, former Karnataka CM blocs at it again

BANGALORE: The infighting between former chief minister B S Yeddyurppa and his successor D V Sadananda Gowda over leadership resurfaced again.A day after the letter written by Gowda and state BJP president K S Eshwarappa to BJP national president Nitin Gadkari seeking disciplinary action against six ministers of the Yeddyurappa camp was leaked, about 19 MLAs have demanded the CM to convene a party meeting to discuss the issue.A letter signed by 19 MLAs of the Yeddyurappa camp has been faxed to the CM on Wednesday asking him to convene the meeting.Gowda, however, tried to play down the development and said: “I have not received any letter.If necessary, I will react tomorrow.” Though Yeddyurappa loyalist MLAs have said that they want a discussion, the real intention is to press for a change of leadership as the Gowda-Eshwarappa combination is said to be a threat to their political careers.They want to dislodge Gowda and make their man as the CM, if Yeddyurappa’s chances of becoming the CM are ruled out post the Supreme Court’s decision.According to sources, Yeddyurappa will propose RDPR Minister Jagadish Shettar as a replacement to Gowda.The Yeddyurappa camp is also trying to muster the support of maximum MLAs so that their demand prevails in the meeting.A senior BJP leader said: “They (Yeddyurappa camp) were only waiting for an opportunity to rake up the leadership issue.” In the letter, Gowda and Eshwarappa had accused Basavaraj Bommai, Shobha Karandlaje, C M Udasi, Murugesh Nirani, M P Renukacharya and Umesh Katti of indulging in anti-party activities while seeking action against them.“It is an old issue being blown out of proportion. Anybody can write to party chief,” Gowda reacted