Bangalore/New Delhi:
Hit by corruption charges at high places, both the government and the Opposition are preparing to face the Parliament on Monday morning.
While the government battles to counter the 2G scandal, the BJP has to decide the fate of its scam-tainted Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa.
(Watch: BJP top brass meets to decide Yeddyurappa's fate)Not just the Opposition, sources say, Yeddyurappa's own party, BJP, is now discussing his ouster. Sources in the BJP also say the countdown to his exit has begun.
They also said Law Minister Suresh Kumar is the front-runner to replace Yeddyurappa, adding that the party will decide on Yeddyurappa before Parliament convenes on Monday.
(Read: Who will replace Yeddyurappa?)The Karnataka Chief Minister - along with the MLAs supporting him - has been summoned to Delhi. He is expected to arrive in Delhi on Monday.
It seems, Yeddyurappa is trying to get all the blessings he can. The Karnataka Chief Minister, who was expected to come to Delhi in the morning, will now go to Puttaparthi first to Sai Baba's ashram before coming to the national capital. Now, he is likely to reach Delhi in the evening.
His detour seems to be aimed at buying more time as he doesn't look to be in the mood to resign on his own. The BJP might be forced to sack him. The Karnataka Chief Minister remains defiant and has tried to put his case before the BJP High Command.
The RSS and the BJP were backing Yeddyurappa earlier, but the endless stream of scams exposed by rivals became the game changer.
(Watch: Yeddyurappa has to resign, says Left) |
(Watch:Yeddyurappa should go: JD(S))However, Yeddurappa remains defiant and says he will continue his term as Chief Minister in Karnataka, although, continuing as Chief Minister might be an embarrassment for the BJP which has been taking the moral high ground on corruption in the Parliament.
(Watch: Yeddyurappa defiant, says won't quit)Yeddyurappa claims the Opposition parties were "disappointed" with him because "the development work is going on like anything."
"So, they are afraid that in another 10 to 15 years they would be the Opposition party only... that's why they are creating problem," he said.
In Delhi, the BJP has taken the corruption campaign against the UPA to the next level, but to target the Prime Minister, the BJP needs to get rid of its own taint.
But removing Yeddyurappa is proving to be tough, as he is the BJP's tallest leader in Karnataka, and if he's removed he can split the party, and his community Lingayat will revolt against the BJP.
So the BJP is exercising caution. Instead of a summary dismissal, feelers are being sent to convince Yeddyurappa that the next Chief Minister can be of his choice, and the change in Chief Minister will not mean, his opponents within the party will be rewarded.
The BJP is also worried that hasty action in Karnataka will lead to infighting, and the focus will shift from corruption during UPA II to Karnataka. Sources say this may give Yeddyurappa a breather, but only till the modalities of change are complete.