BJP mulls over Yeddyurappa's fate

New Delhi, Jul 27: Facing pressure from NDA allies and the danger of weakening its stand on corruption, BJP top brass held a meeting to discuss the fate of Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa on the eve of submission of Lokayukta report indicting him on illegal mining issue.

The BJP Core Group held a meeting to discuss whether Yeddyurappa should be asked to put in his papers and the repercussions it would have for the party in Karnataka as well as at the Centre.

Earlier, a meeting of the NDA partners was held to discuss the strategy for the forthcoming Parliament session.

NDA Convenor and JD(U) President Sharad Yadav has already stated that Yeddyurappa should go as his continuance in office is weakening the opposition fight against corruption.

The naming of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and then Finance Minister P Chidambaram by former Telecom Minister A Raja in the 2G spectrum scam has come as a shot in the arm for the opposition and it does not want to start on a weak wicket during the monsoon session of Parliament.

However, the BJP central leadership maintained that it would wait for Santosh Hegde to submit his report and then take a call on the issue.

"Our party president Nitin Gadkari has already said no action will be taken till the Lokayukt report is submitted. We cannot take a decision on media reports. Only after going through the 8,000 page report will the party decide what should be done," BJP spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad said.

The BJP is weighing its options and has to decide what would harm it more- Yeddyurappa in the saddle or his removal. The party fears sacking him may antagonise the Lingayat voters.

PTI