Journalism of Courage
After former Karnataka CM B S Yeddyurappa’s return to the party, the BJP is trying to get BSR Congress, floated by another BJP rebel B Sriramulu, to merge with the party ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, BJP sources indicated.
Sriramulu, a former BJP minister in Karnataka, floated the party ahead of the 2013 Assembly elections and it bagged about three per cent votes, denting BJP’s performance. BSR Congress’s vote share was concentrated in Bellary, Raichur and Koppal during the Assembly elections.
BJP hopes to get these votes back by merging with Sriramulu’s party to boost its prospects in the region. Top state BJP leaders are learnt to have been pressing the central leadership to make the move.
Sources said BJP leader Sushma Swaraj was not keen on the move, which forced state leaders to approach BJP president Rajnath Singh.
