‘Berth’ pangs: MLAs Yatnal, Renuka meet

Shyam Sundar Vattam | NT

Bengaluru: In a swift political move, the ‘North and South pole’ of the BJP, Basangouda Patil Yatnal and M.P. Renukacharya met at the latter’s chamber in Vidhana Soudha here on Thursday.

This meeting of two leaders who till recently traded words against each other, has activated the rumor mill in state politics. The duo are said to have discussed the current political scenario in the state and the delay in Cabinet expansion. Both of them have been loyal to the saffron party but have not been lucky enough to make it to the Cabinet of the previous B.S.Yediyurappa Government or the incumbent Bommai Government.

Yatnal is one of the most senior BJP leaders and had worked as Minister of Railways in the Vajpayee Government, but his comments on previous CM Yediyurappa, had ensured that he was denied a Cabinet berth. On the other hand, Renukacharya had missed the bus by a whisker as the high command had to set aside over a dozen posts for those who had joined the BJP deserting the Congress and Janata Dal (Secular).

Talking to reporters, Vijayapura City MLA Yatnal said “at present, I cannot say whether he will be accommodated in the coming Cabinet expansion. It is very difficult to say when it (cabinet expansion) will happen? It may be done before the Assembly elections in five states or later. It is better if it happens before the elections. Renukacharya is my best friend and I will bless him to become a minister. He will follow a leader whom he trusts a lot”.

Giving a chance to newcomers and loyal lawmakers would help the BJP in the coming elections. This would be conveyed to Delhi leaders, he added. On a possible Cabinet expansion in March, the veteran BJP leader opined that it would not be helpful (if it happened after two months) and whatever is supposed to happen must take place now. The Cabinet expansion or reshuffle must be done at least one year before the Assembly polls for the effective growth of the State.

Asked whether he had accepted the leadership of former CM Yediyurappa or the current CM Bommai, Yatnal said he had accepted whatever the party high command had accepted.

The CM’s Political Secretary, Renukacharya termed the meeting with Yatnal as ‘accidental’ but also as a ‘courtesy’ meeting. They discussed how to bring back the party to power and ways to check the ‘speed’ of KPCC President D.K.Shivakumar who was acting as if he had already grabbed power.

“Today’s meeting was not against anyone. We feel it is good to continue with those who are doing good for the party and the government. But at the same time power mongers and selfish leaders must be dropped like hot potatos”.

On the meeting, he said their aim was to ensure that the BJP comes to power in both Karnataka and at the Centre. Not all MLas are not able to talk and it has been conveyed to him by them. So, he and Yatnal discussed the impending Cabinet reshuffle or expansion. The BJP did not have the culture of collecting signatures, he noted.

“Basangouda Patil has been a senior and a seasoned politician, and had served as a minister in the Union Cabinet. Such persons must be in the Cabinet and it would be conveyed to the high command also. It would be of no use if the Cabinet expansion takes place after March as ministers cannot concentrate on developmental works. I am confident that Bommai will take a good decision in the interest of the party and the government ”, the Honnalli MLA said.