Supporters show split wide open in Karnataka BJP
Supporters show split wide open in Karnataka BJP
The reception accorded to BJP ministers Shettar and Bommai at Hubli airport shows all is not well in the party...

HUBLI: BJP leaders tried hard to spread out the message, at least in front of the cameras, that all is well in the party, but their followers showed how the party is vertically divided. It all happened when BJP leader Jagadish Shettar and strategist of his rival camp Basavaraj Bommai landed at Hubli airport on Saturday.As Shettar and Bommai, who were sitting next to each other, alighted the Kingfisher flight, a huge number of party workers were waiting at the airport lounge. Till the exit gate both ministers came together, but when they came out their supporters separated them and took to their respective camps by shouldering them.It may be recalled that it was like virtual face-off between the warring factions as Shettar supporters were fuming against Bommai for “being responsible for Shetter’s losing the Chief Minister’s post”. Shettar supporters even staged a protest in front of Bommai’s residence. It is a fact that Bommai had stood firmly behind B S Yeddyurappa during the recent political drama, and Bommai played a vital role in getting Sadananda Gowda on the hot seat.Shettar supporters accused him of deceiving their leader, by whose influence he was (Bommai) inducted into the party in 2008. Even after a week, the party workers have not come to terms with reality. Bommai followers were not happy either, as a smear campaign was going on against their leader. But, both leaders did not want to show differences in public.On Saturday, when they came out of the airport, they were separately welcomed by their supporters and taken in separate processions. A majority of the BJP members were behind Shettar, and Bommai was greeted by his long-time followers in the city and people from his constituency Shiggaon in Haveri district.The leaders looked helpless being among their supporters.Later, speaking to reporters, both leaders tried to put up a show of unity, but their reflexes were not convincing. Both of them defended their respective stands, but did not forget to say that they toe the Central leadership’s line.

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