State: Karnataka
Best poll performance:
Lok Sabha: 19 out of 28 seats (2009)
Assembly: 110 out of 224 seats (2008)
The BJP’s hopes of rejuvenating itself in Karnataka through the return of former chief minister BS Yeddyurappa (BSY) may remain elusive.
If the BJP and BSY’s Karnataka Janata Paksha do not merge, the former’s attempts to retain at least 10 of the 19 seats it won in 2009 may fail. BSY may decide later, say BJP insiders. The CBI went slow when he split the BJP last year.
The Lingayat strongman, who had given hints of his keenness to return after Modi was named PM candidate, appears to be dragging his feet.
Once the buzz began about BSY’s return, the CBI started arresting MLAs allegedly involved in illegal mining. This has also made the BJP nervous as it had taken the high moral stand of not compromising on corruption.
A senior BJP leader said the party would get the same drubbing in the Lok Sabha as in the assembly polls if BSY stayed away.