This Article is From Mar 21, 2012

Yeddyurappa shows some mercy to BJP, supporters attend Budget Session

Yeddyurappa shows some mercy to BJP, supporters attend Budget Session
Bangalore: In Karnataka, after delivering an embarrassing day for his party the BJP, Yeddyurappa and his faction arrived at the state assembly to attend the presentation of the state Budget amid unconfirmed reports that the BJP has told him they will reinstate him once the session is over.

Mr Yeddyurappa is expected to come to Delhi this afternoon.

DV Sadananda Gowda, the current chief minister, is scheduled to present the Budget today. Mr Gowda had been hand-picked by Mr Yeddyurappa in July last year when he was forced to quit office on corruption charges. Last week, a court dismissed those charges, triggering Mr Yeddyurappa's aggressive campaign to return to office.

Mr Yeddyurappa's camp has indicating that Mr Gowda will be allowed to present the Budget, but it is important that the party presents a united front in the Assembly.

On Monday, BJP president Nitin Gadkari requested Mr Yeddyurappa to be patient and "not to do anything that will hurt the BJP." In addition to the rebel leader's ability to split the party, the dispute has caste overtones as well. Mr Yeddyurappa, a Lingayat, chose a Vokkaliga to replace him. Both are dominant communities in the state - and the BJP is in a bind now in case they have alienated the Lingayat vote bank. Would one time Yeddyurappa foe turned ally, Jagadish Shettar, another Lingayat, be a potential Chief Ministerial choice that would satisfy Yeddyurappa if he is given the chair himself? And how would the Vokkaliga community react to a Chief Minister from their community being dumped on the demands of the volatile Mr Yeddyurappa? Elections to the state assembly are due in 2013.
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