Decks are getting cleared for the re-induction of former Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa into the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
A decision is likely to be taken by the party top brass ahead of the National Executive and National Council meetings scheduled here in January.
The BJP leadership is learned to have sought the view of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh on bringing the party’s first Southern Chief Minister back to the fold. Efforts are also being made to pacify senior leaders such as L.K. Advani and Sushma Swaraj, who were instrumental in keeping Yeddyurappa away from the party over corruption allegations against him.
Yeddyurappa said in Shimoga that he would join the BJP in the first week of January.
“I will give sweet news in the first week of New Year. I know the party which I built has suffered due to my absence. I will not only rejoin my parental party but also tour the entire State to strengthen the hands of Narendra Modi to make him the Prime Minister,” he said.
Confirming discussions at the Central level, senior leader Arun Jaitley said a decision on his induction would be taken at an appropriate time.
Narendra Modi, the party’s prime ministerial candidate, is reportedly in favour of bringing Yeddyurappa back. Discussions on his home-coming gained momentum after the party lost power in Karnataka.
Party President Rajnath Singh had recently reviewed the organisational situation in Karnataka. A sizeable section within the State BJP also reportedly wants him back.
The BJP’s leadership meetings will begin from January 16. The party has to discuss his re-induction in the National Executive.
A section of the BJP leadership is, however, still wary as it fears that Yeddyurappa’s “tainted” image may be used by the Opposition to tarnish the party. The leadership is in search of a “strong justification” to take the decision.