Bengaluru: With the state BJP standing divided between BSY house and KS Eshwarappa’s faction, the national leadership has already got into firefighting mode. As the party cracked its whip late on Saturday night, four leaders from both the factions have been relieved from their respective responsibilities in the party.
As per the fax order issued by party state in-charge Muralidhar Rao, former minister and BJP state Farmers’ Morcha vice-president MP Renukacharya and party state unit spokesperson and ex MLC Go Madhusudan have been kept away from their party responsibilities. Both these leaders have identified themselves with the BSY faction.
This apart, Rao relieved two of the state unit vice-presidents Bhanu Prakash from Shivamogga and Nirmal Kumar Surana from Bengaluru from their responsibilities. Both these leaders are from KS Eshwarappa faction.
The leaders have earned the wrath of the national leaders for anti-party activities. While Renukacharya and Go Madhusudhan had spoken to electronic media in support of BSY, Bhanu Prakash had made scathing attack against BSY, in wake of ongoing BSY-Eshwarappa feud.
Meanwhile, Rao has also given warning to all the party members to restrain from speaking about the party’s internal dynamics to media.
The BJP, which has always been looked at as a party with discipline fell from grace after the two top leaders-BSY and KSE clashed out in open. The animosity that simmered with K S Eshwarappa forming the Rayanna Brigade, came to a boil and spilled out only after the disgraceful defeat of the BJP in the Gundlupete/Nanjangudu by-polls. Following the debacle, KS Eshwarappa attacked BSY, holding him responsible for the defeat.
Soon, the rebel faction, which had decided to dissolve ‘Rayanna Brigade’ came out with an event under the theme ‘Save the Organisation’ specifically talking of the need for BSY to mend his ways while handling the party.
Despite warning from national Chief Amit Shah, the rebel leaders went ahead to hold the event, where the supporters of BSY and K S Eshwarappa resorted to an open fistfight at Palace Grounds. Leaders like V Somanna, Sogadu Shivanna, Nirmal Kumar Surana among others were seen at the event.
Many more heads will roll, say party sources.
