RSS steps in to patch up warring factions in BJP

BANGALORE:  After being mute spectators to the on-going fight for leadership within the state BJP for almost a month, the RSS on Wednesday finally intervened and told the state leaders that there would be no change in the leadership — neither in the government nor in the state party unit — in the immediate future.The RSS leaders also issued gag orders on warring state BJP leaders not to air their differences in public and warned that strict action would be taken against the violators.  “Leave the leadership issue to the party high command. It will take a suitable decision as and when necessary. Till that time, you should focus on giving good governance,” RSS leaders told the BJP state leaders at a meeting convened by the former to resolve the on-going crisis in the party.The meeting was attended by RSS bigwigs M C Jayadev, Mangesh Bhende, K Narahari, Su Ramanna and Kalladka Prabhakar Bhat. From the BJP side Chief Minister D V Sadananda  Gowda, state BJP president K S Eshwarappa, former CM B S Yeddyurappa, Ministers Suresh Kumar, Jagadish Shettar, R Ashok and Shobha Karandlaje were present.With the RSS making it clear that there would be no change in the leadership, all Yeddyurappa’s hopes to return to power immediately after Sankranthi is dashed. Though Yeddyurappa is said to have agreed to the RSS diktat at the meeting, it remains to be seen whether he will really abide by their instructions or defy it.However, Yeddyurappa told reporters after the meeting that all minor irritants have been solved by the intervention of RSS leaders.  “We will go on state tours unitedly to strengthen the state BJP,” he added. Yeddyurappa also said the BJP men assured RSS leaders of the party winning 150 Assembly and 25 MP seats in future elections.  Eshwarappa said that the BJP would follow the suggestions given by RSS leaders, but did not elaborate.