The controversial Yeddyurappa-Eshwarappa feud seems to have ended after ‘peace’ talks mediated by BJP National President Amit Shah on Friday night, media reports suggested.
The talks resulted in Eshwarappa agreeing to dissociate himself from the Sangolli Rayanna Brigade, which has been the cause for the feud between him and Yeddyurappa.
The decision to shut down Rayanna Brigade’s operations may seem like a victory for Yeddyurappa, however, Eshwarappa also made some gains during the talks.
Eshwarappa will now head the BJP’s OBC morcha in Karnataka and has been given a free reign to organize rallies for OBC and Dalit population in all districts under the Sangolli Rayanna banner, BJP National General Secretary Murlidhar Rao told media persons.
Shah had summoned the feuding leaders to his house on Friday and held talks for almost three hours. “He has assured Eshwarappa that his grievances of injustice to party loyalists in the appointment of office bearers would be looked into,” Rao said.
Shah has instructed Muralidhar Rao to head a committee to examine the complaints in this regard. The committee will also look into the suspension of party leaders who were punished for associating themselves with the Rayanna Brigade.
Shah is also said to have promised Eshwarappa a party ticket to contest from Shivamogga in the upcoming assembly election.
BJP MLCs had earlier written to Amit Shah claiming that Eshwarappa had formed the Rayanna Brigade with the intent of defeating the BJP in the 2018 polls.
They had also alleged that Eshwarappa's utterances against Yeddyurappa had given rise to unrest among party workers and claimed that it was sending wrong signals to the people as well.
The two leaders announced that their differences have been sorted out and that they would work together for the 2018 polls.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Rao reiterated that no leader or party worker would be allowed to participate in any activities of the Brigade.