BSY to step down on Jul 31; what about BJP's 12-hr deadline?

Bangalore, Jul 29: The survivor, BS Yeddyurappa had to finally succumb to the huge Lokayukta blow that Santosh Hegde inflicted upon him. After sealing all possible escape routes, the illegal mining scam tainted BSY was finally compelled to put in his papers after immense pressure from the BJP Party High Command. He has agreed to step down by Jul 31st. But he has irked the BJP in spite of this since he has trashed the party's 12 hour deadline to resign.

It is not surprising to know that Yeddyurappa will not go out without pulling in some bargain. One of them being that he would gain an upper hand in deciding who his successor will be. His decision to step down at the end of the month also seem to have a hidden agenda. BSY still seem to be harboring wishes to dissolve the Assembly, a hope that he has been wanting right from the start.

Even as Yeddyurappa has fallen from grace, he still wants to have a major say in the BJP affairs in the state. He also wants to play a major part in the future polls. Even as talks on Yeddyurappa's successor is on, there is grouping and re-grouping within the state party unit as BJP send a strong message on Thursday stating all those attending the meeting of the rebel CM will be penalized.

With Yeddyurappa still enjoying considerable clout in the state, his support base is showing no signs of diminishing, especially the Lingayat community that has always been his stronghold. Industries minister Murugesh Nirani has been quoted as saying, "The chief minister"s support is intact. However, he has agreed to honour the party"s directive. All of us will attend tomorrow (Friday)"s legislature party meeting."

Even when BSY caused some heartburn's to the BJP leadership by openly defying them, the fact remains that he has 35 MLAs backing him, including 9 ministers. His past history of winning back to back elections will also work in his favour.

But his troubles are only starting when he has to face the legal music following the release of the Lokayukta report, with a source stating, "If he leaves the party, no BJP leader will rush to his support when he is in real trouble. Since no other party is likely to back him considering the vitriolic exchanges between him and top leaders of other parties in the past, he has no option but to stay in the BJP even if it means playing second fiddle as a former CM."

OneIndia News