BSY returns to forefront as BJP wrestles to retain MLAs

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: Former CM BS Yediyurappa has once again emerged as a central figure, stepping in to shield BJP MLAs from the open challenge posed by Deputy CM DK Shivakumar’s attempts to lure opposition party legislators.

In a bid to preserve the unity of its ranks, the BJP previously witnessed 16 MLAs from the Congress Party and Janata Dal-Secular join its fold to dismantle the Congress-JDS Coalition government and reinstate Yediyurappa as CM for a record fourth time.

These defections were backed by promises of ministerial positions and resources for upcoming by-elections.

However, some of these newly-inducted MLAs faced defeat in the 2023 Assembly polls and now contemplate a return to their original party, the Congress.

With the current state of BJP leadership struggling to maintain cohesion, Yediyurappa, a prominent Lingayat leader within the BJP, has once again been entrusted to rally the support of the party’s MLAs.

In a recent meeting, he successfully garnered commitments from MLAs K Gopalaiah and N Muniratna to remain with the BJP.

Yediyurappa reported that Shivaram Hebbar and ST Somashekar had assured him of their continued loyalty to the party.