Awaiting CEC report, BJP tells Yeddyurappa

BANGALORE:  After months of dilly-dallying, the BJP high command has finally kick-started the process of consultations to solve the leadership issue in the state BJP, which has put its first ever government in the south on a shaky wicket.In-charge of Karnataka BJP Dharmendra Pradhan whom the party has sent to assess the situation in the state BJP, held separate meetings with former chief minister B S Yeddyurappa, ministers Jagadish Shettar, R Ashok, Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri, BJP national organising secretary Satish and BJP state organising secretary Santosh on Sunday. He is expected to give a report to the party leadership in a day or two as the BJP national core committee is meeting next weekend.Not withstanding its efforts to address issues in the state unit, the party, according to sources, has sent a clear message to Yeddyurappa through Pradhan that any decision on leadership change will be taken only after knowing the outcome of the CEC report and the Supreme Court order.“The party knows that Yeddyurappa has the support of a majority of MLAs. But the party is more worried about its image. Therefore, it wants to wait for the CEC report before taking any decision,” said a source close to Yeddyurappa.Pradhan sought to play down his visit and termed it “personal”. He took part in a couple of functions, including the wedding of the son of BJP chief whip in the Council Shivayogi Swamy. “It’s not a political visit. As the state in-charge, I am speaking to leaders as a routine exercise,’’ he said. Pradhan, who had a word of praise for the CM will meet him before leaving Bangalore.