Karnataka polls: BJP list is delayed again, Yeddy's exit sparks speculations

Reports are rife that BJP strongman, B S Yediyurappa is unhappy with the top leadership's decision over the final list of candidates for the Karnataka Assembly elections.

The rumour mills are abuzz that Yediyurappa made a sudden exit from Delhi and returned to Bengaluru as he was unhappy over the list of candidates. There is talk about political circles that his premature departure from Delhi could be to do with the fact that the party leadership was not in agreement with his list of candidates. Karnataka chief minister Basavaraj Bommai and senior leader, Prahlad Joshi tower insisted that Yediyurappa had to leave due to a personal emergency.

The BJP has been discussing the list since Saturday and it was expected that the same would be released over the weekend. Reports suggest that Yediyurappa waned 30 of his followers included in the list, but the same was not agreeable to the top leadership.

One of the candidates that Yediyurappa wanted included is his son, B Y Vijayendra. Yediyurappa while announcing that he would not be contesting the elections anymore had said that his son would be contesting from his seat in Shiikaripur. This was seen as a preemptive move by Yediyurappa against the rejection of his son's candidature.

While many state that Yediyurappa is miffed that his son has not been given a ticket, Joshi however said that the development was owing to a personal commitment. "The party has held extensive discussions with the top leadership. The list is in its final stage of preparation. The list will be released soon in consultation with Prime Minister, Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister, Amit Shah," Joshi also said.

Bommai who is also in Delhi said that Yediyurappa had taken part in all the meetings, including the ones with J P Nadda and Shah. "He was part of the central Election Committee and parliamentary board meetings with the Prime Minister. He expressed all his views on the issue. Every decision has been taken with Yediyurappa's consultation," Bommai also said.

On his return, Yediyurappa insisted that he was not unhappy. " I am very happy. All the suggestions given by me have been taken. I am confident that we will get a full majority on the basis of the seat selection," Yediyurappa also said.

Joshi maintained that the list would be out on Tuesday. "We held discussions about all the 224 seats. Inputs and clarifications had been sought," he said.

Bommai also said," there is no confusion. We will be releasing a big list of candidates. We want to be very cautious. Our national leaders are looking at it in-depth. Things could also change at the last minute."