BSY to launch new party on December 9

Former chief minister BS Yeddyurappa’s move to split the BJP in Karnataka by launching his own party next month has taken a final shape. Shekhar Iyer reports.

Former chief minister BS Yeddyurappa’s move to split the BJP in Karnataka by launching his own party next month has taken a final shape. Dispelling doubts about his plans, Yeddyurappa has already moved the election commission, seeking ‘cycle’ as his party’s poll symbol. The party will be launched on December 9.

HT Image

Sources close to the rebel BJP leader said he wanted the poll panel to grant the symbol as it has not been reserved for any other party in Karnataka. Cycle is the poll symbol of Mulayam Singh Yadav-led Samajwadi Party in UP.

Yeddyurappa will resign from the BJP’s primary membership this month end. He, however, has asked BJP ministers, who are supporting him, not to follow the suit immediately to avoid “crisis” for his fellow Lingayat leader and Karnataka CM Jagdish Shettar.

“Yeddyurappa does not want to appear to have pulled the rug under Shettar’s feet,” said a BJP leader close to him.

At least 45 BJP MLAs are expected to defy the party’s fiat and turn up for the rally.