New Delhi:
The crisis in the Karnataka unit of the BJP is far from over. Rebel leader Janardhan Reddy met senior BJP leader Sushma Swaraj on Tuesday. Before the meeting, Reddy again reiterated that there was no change in stand.
Bellary's powerful Reddy brothers want Chief Minister Yeddyurappa replaced and have clearly stated that they won't settle for anything less than CM change.
The powerful Reddy brothers, mining barons from Bellary, and cabinet ministers, have made it their business to get the chief minister sacked. They accuse him of being dictatorial.
Critics of Reddy brothers say they want to influence government policies that could help their mining empire.
"I am firm with my demand... we need better leadership... no one has told me from the party that there will be no change." With that one sentence, Janardhan Reddy dismissed any optimism the BJP harboured overnight of finding a temporary truce to its war in Karnataka on Tuesday.
The two warring factions have refused to back down.
But the central BJP leaders are divided.
While the faction backing Yeddyudappa is against giving in to the rebels. This faction includes BJP president Rajnath Singh.
While those against him want major changes in cabinet and rebels to have a greater say and this faction includes Sushma Swaraj, Venkaiah Naidu, Anant Kumar and L K Advani.
But there is no discussion on Yeddyurappa's removal.
However, talking exclusively to NDTV the beleaguered chief minister of Karnataka BS Yeddyurappa said that the problem will be resolved soon. He also said that there is no question of stepping down from his post.
He further said that he is ready for a compromise with the rebels in order to sort out the issue.
For the central leaders the stalemate in Karnataka is a repeat of Vasundhara's defiance in Rajasthan. Some see it as another sign of indiscipline and challenge, as the authority of top leaders stands eroded.