BSY’s demands stand in his way back to BJP

Related: BSY loyalists lobby Modi for his return

Not just this,he also wants the saffron party to guarantee that his confidante and KJP working president Shobha Karandlaje,who lost the Assembly polls earlier this year,would be nominated for the legislative council at the first chance, the sources said.

To top it,the Lingayat strongman wants a Rajya Sabha seat which the BJP can win next June.

“It appears his calculation is to get elected to the Upper House if the party comes to power at the Centre in May next year,” said a BJP leader briefed about the former CM’s demands.

Though the BJP is not inclined to take Yeddyurappa back on his conditions,party leaders conceded that his return,even with the “baggage associated with him”,will bring gain to the saffron party in the Lok Sabha election.

Nevertheless,they don’t want to start the negotiations with conditions. “We know Yeddyurappa’s ways. If we concede some of the conditions right at the beginning,he will get back with more conditions for his re-induction,” the source said,explaining why the BJP would not make the first offer unless the former chief minister makes an unconditional pitch for his return.

Yeddyurappa,however,is out to play hardball,if his announcement after Thursday’s KJP meeting — that his party will support Narendra Modi for prime minister but prepare independently for the election — is any indication.