Gowda calls on dissident BJP leader

Former Prime Minister and JD (S) supremo H D Deve Gowda called on a prominent BJP leader Chandru, popularly known as Mukhyamantri Chandru, at the latter’s residence in Bangalore yesterday morning, sending the BJP into a tizzy.

Gowda had breakfast with Chandru, a BJP MLC, who had openly raised a banner of revolt against the party leadership at the time of coalition government’s formation last year. “He had been inviting me for almost a month. I finally time found to visit him”, Gowda told reporters after the visit.

But, Gowda’s visit to Chandru’s residence has fuelled speculations over the reported plans of JD (S) to exploit the simmering dissidence in the coalition partner BJP’s ranks and split the party ahead of scheduled transfer of power in October this year.

Gowda’s unexpected visit has also come at a time when the internal differences in BJP’s Karnataka unit had peaked on the eve of newly-appointed BJP leader in charge of Karnataka Yashwanth Sinha’s arrival in Bangalore on Thursday.

The disgruntled section of BJP legislators in Karnataka are understood to be planning to complain to Yashwanth Sinha against the style of functioning of Deputy Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa, who is tipped to take over as Chief Minister later this year.

According to reports, the dissident BJP leaders are also planning to bring to Yashwanth Sinha’s notice the “undue importance” accorded to woman MLC Shobha Karandlaje by Yediyurappa in the party matters. The dissident legislators are also planning to seek the removal of BJP’s Karnataka unit President Sadanand Gowda.

Yashwanth Sinha is scheduled to hold separate meetings with BJP Ministers and legislators, but also state unit office bearers and presidents of party’s district units during his visit to Bangalore.