Pradhan arrives amid Yeddy's renewed CM bid

Bharatiya Janata Party General Secretary and Karnataka in-charge Dharmendra Pradhan arrived in Bengaluru on Sunday amid former chief minister B S Yeddyurappa stepping up his demand for reinstating him as chief minister.

Speaking to reporters on his arrival, Pradhan said he has come to the city to attend a private function and not to discuss politics.

He, however, said the leadership issue was in public domain and the central leadership was aware about it. Pradhan said he was happy with Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda's governance and there was nothing wrong in Yeddyurappa taking out statewide tour in drought-hit areas of the state.

"Yeddyurappa is our leader. What's wrong if he visits drought-hit areas?," he asked.

However, party sources said Pradhan has been deputed by the central leadership to hold discussions with rival factions to bring an end to the Yeddyurappa-Sadananda Gowda feud over leadership issue.

In this context, the sources said, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj minister and Yeddyurappa's foe-turned-friend Jagadish Shettar met Pradhan and held talks for 30 minutes.

Sources said since Gowda and State BJP President K S Eshwarappa are not in the city, Pradhan would extend his stay until Monday.

Party sources said Pradhan would discuss various options before the party with respect to Yeddyurappa's demands. Yeddyurappa, who was on visit to drought hit areas, returned to the city on Saturday night.