Will SC order against Yeddyurappa quell K'taka BJP crisis?

In a setback to BS Yeddyurappa, the Supreme Court ordered a CBI probe against him for nepotism, illegal land acquisition and favouring top mining companies. BJP insiders say that the order is expected to put the rebellious former Karnataka CM on the back foot. Vicky Nanjappa reports

Just when B S Yeddyurappa had upped the ante against Karnataka Chief Minister Sadananda Gowda the Supreme Court order of a Central Bureau of Investigation probe against him has come as a big blow.

The probe has been ordered against the former Karnataka CM for nepotism, illegal land acquisition and favouring top mining companies.

Ever since Yeddyurappa, who brought the Bharatiya Janata Party to power in Karnataka in 2008, was asked to step down as the CM in wake of the illegal mining scam he has proved to be quite a nuisance for the party. In mid March he shepherded his loyalists to a resort, ahead of the presentation of the Karnataka budget, threatening to pull down the government.

Until yesterday Yeddyurappa had stepped up the pressure on Gowda, but after Friday's SC order he is expected to keep it low, say party insiders. 

There has been an uneasy calm in the Karnataka BJP since the news of the much-awaited cabinet expansion has been doing the rounds. With Yeddyurappa and his followers busy evolving strategies to ensure that their camp gets the maximum share in the expansion Gowda has not been able to execute his plan to expand his nine-month-old cabinet.

The Karnataka CM has even complained to the central leadership about Yeddyurappa's alleged anti-party activities. To this, the latter wrote a letter to Gowda seeking a legislature party meeting.

...

Gowda will now heave a sigh of relief with the SC tightening the noose around Yeddyurappa. He is expecting that the order will quell the rebellious former CM, who has a Herculean task ahead of him with the CBI on his trail, said sources. 

The Gowda camp has been complaining that they desperately need some calm in the government so that they could go ahead with the developmental works ahead of next year's elections. His constant crib has been that Yeddyurappa has been interfering too much with the administration and his constant banter is not helping them in the least.

In fact, he was backed by party president K S Eshwarappa, who also complained to the leadership in New Delhi that Yeddyurappa was indulging in anti-party activities. He complained that during the recent by-election to the Chickmagalur seat, in which the BJP got a drubbing, Yeddyurappa had not entered the field. He was also blamed for fielding a rebel candidate in the Rajya Sabha elections.

While the anti-Yeddyurappa faction is pleased with the SC verdict they are well aware that they cannot bully him on the basis of this order because of his clout in the party.

There will be discussions and deliberations to ensure that he does get a good deal in the cabinet expansion. If he is displeased he will rally his forces and ensure that the government is pulled down, fears the BJP. 

Meanwhile, the Yeddyurappa camp has already got into the damage control mode. A high-level meeting of his legal team is expected to be held on Friday evening to discuss the future course of action. His legal team and supporters are hopeful that he will come out clean and will make sure that the CBI does not arrest him. They will also look at seeking a review of the verdict. 

Yeddyurappa has however not reacted to the order. He is in Mysore and is expected to return to Bengaluru by Friday evening.

The last time however when the apex court-appointed Central Empowered Committee had recommended a CBI probe he had said that it is not an indictment, but only a suggestion and was ready to fight any battle.

...