BJP deputes two leaders to douse discontent

Party General Secretary Dharmendra Pradhan and Joint Organising Secretary V Satish will arrive here tomorrow on a two-day visit, BJP sources said here today.

Pradhan, also in-charge of party affairs in Karnataka, and Satish will meet MLAs and MPs of every district separately and hear their grievances, gauge the mood of the partymen and make an assessment of the situation in the party and its government.

The sources said both leaders would hear the legislators and later submit a report to the high command.

Most legislators of ruling BJP have been complaining about Yeddyurappa`s style of working and saying that development in their constituencies was not to the levels they expected.

"The issue of change of guard as demanded by the legislators in February is not on the agenda of these two leaders. They would only collate the opinion of MLAs and MPs and also hear their grievances," the sources said.

In February, the dissidents had demanded a leadership change but were asked by the high command to wait till completion of the April 9 by-poll in three Assembly seats.

Considering the discontent against Yeddyurappa`s leadership, the high command has not allowed him to expand his ministry, which has seven vacancies.

Meanwhile, the rebel camp turned active on learning about the visit of the two BJP leaders.

A dissident camp source said they would brief the leaders about allegations of corruption faced by Yeddyurappa and the dent it caused to the image of the government and party.