BSY ropes in Bangalore MLAs for Delhi test

BANGALORE: With the high command showing no signs of heeding his demand for a “suitable post”, former chief minister B S Yeddyurappa seems to be preparing himself for a show of strength immediately after January 15. His intention, it seems, is to get what he wants, or to break the party he had built over the years.Yeddyurappa, who has been vocal about his intention to return to power, has started mustering the support of as many MLAs as possible before going to Delhi anytime after January 15 to bargain. On Monday, Yeddyurappa invited Bangalore city MLAs and sought their support for his comeback efforts.In the meeting, Yeddyurappa is said to have asked MLAs to back him in his hour of crisis and lead a delegation to Delhi, if the situation demanded, to convince all the party bosses. About 10 MLAs, including Home Minister R Ashok and former minister Aravind Limbavali, who had identified with the rival camp during Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda’s election as the leader of the legislature party, met Yeddyurappa and held talks.Emerging out of the hour-long meeting, the MLAs,  however, claimed that their discussion was restricted to Bangalore development.“During his tenure as the CM, Yeddyurappa had given sufficient funds for development work in Bangalore city. He has great concern for the city’s development,” Ashok said. When asked about Yeddyurappa’s demand for a suitable post, the MLAs pointed to the party high-command and said: “We have no objection if Yeddyurappa is given a post. But it has to be decided by the party high command.”The MLAs, however, are said to have requested Yeddyurappa not to take any hasty decision in the event of the party high command refusing to bring him back to power.On his part, Yeddyurappa is keeping his fingers crossed hoping that the central party leadership will consider his demand.“I will go to Delhi after January 15 and I am hopeful that everything will be settled,” Yeddyurappa said.Meanwhile, efforts are being made by party leaders to broker a truce between Yeddyurappa and state party chief K S Eshwarappa, who had locked horns recently over the leadership issue.