BANGALORE: With the release of former chief minister BS Yeddyurappa from jail on bail, the fight for control over the party and the government is certain to intensify between pro and anti-Yeddyurappa groups in the state BJP in the coming days.Yeddyurappa is said to be upset over the treatment meted out to him and his supporters by the party leadership when he was in jail. The open criticism of him by party’s senior leader L K Advani during his public rally in Bangalore last week which was organised despite his opposition has also angered Yeddyurappa.Now that he is out of jail and has the support of majority BJP MLAs and MPs, Yeddyurappa will certainly demand his share of cake and if the party bosses do not yield, he may go ahead with the extreme step of dividing the party, say party insiders.The ultimate aim of the Yeddyurappa camp is to install him as state party president keeping in mind the power to issue B forms in the Assembly election is vested with it. “Undoubtedly he is the tallest leader of the state with a mass following. How can anyone forget his contribution to the party,” says a minister loyal to the former CM who brushes aside graft charges against Yeddyurappa as politically motivated while expressing confidence that none of the charges will stand the court of law.Many in the party think that the Bellary byelection will provide the first and immediate opportunity to embattled Yeddyurappa to claim his lost position in party. To begin with Yeddyurappa supporters will renew their demand for facing Bellary byelection under his leadership as they did during Koppal byelection. It may be recalled that Yeddyurappa participated actively in Koppal bypoll campaign.
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