A day after RSS directed the Karnataka BJP unit to put an end to internal squabbling over the leadership issue, Excise Minister M P Renukacharya, a loyalist of former Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa, today said D V Sadananda Gowda is his CM and Yeddyurappa leader.
"Gowda is my CM and Yeddyurappa my leader," Renukacharya, a trusted lieutenant of Yeddyurappa, told reporters here.
Until the RSS direction to the state BJP leaders, Renukacharya had been batting for reinstatement of Yeddyurappa as CM who quit from the top post after being indicted in the Lokayukta report on illegal mining.
Renukacharya had recently said he expected Gowda to "abide by the decision that was taken before Yeddyurappa stepped down" and make way for the former Chief Minister to be reinstated in the post after 'makar sankranti'.
However, the minister said the state BJP leaders had "buried the hatchet" after yesterday's meeting with RSS leaders. RSS yesterday directed Gowda, Yeddyurappa and state BJP chief K S Eshwarappa to bury their differences on the leadership issue and leave the matter to be decided by the BJP central leadership.
Sources said the three were summoned by RSS leaders, who told them to bury the hatchet on the matter and focus on good governance and on ensuring BJP's victory in future elections.
Renukacharya said he would strive to ensure BJP retained power in the next assembly election in Karnataka.