Operation Lotus was the root cause of dissidence in BJP: DVS

TOI

Mangalore, 19 Jul 2012: Public memory is short. If the BJP is able to put its internal bickering aside in the remaining time of the five-year mandate given to them by the electorate, the party can still make a comeback at the hustings, former CM DV Sadananda Gowda told in an interview here on Wednesday.

 

Do you think dissidence in the party was the result of Operation Lotus? Yes, we did not have the numbers and the party had to rely on independents. By accommodating them, we could not do much for the loyal party workers, who worked honestly for us since the beginning.

 

Who has to address issues of discord brought about by Operation Lotus in the party ? The core committee of the party comprising top leaders including BS Yeddyurappa, KS Eshwarappa, HN Ananth Kumar and me. The lack of unity among top leaders is giving MLAs the opportunity to go to other leaders for their own selfish ends.

 

Will you take the lead in this regard? Certainly. I will meet the dissidents at Anugraha on Thursday. The media may dub it as another act of groupism. I have not called any formal meeting (of dissidents) but will speak to them and tell them that the party has done so much for them and it is time for them to return the favour.

 

Will you get results? If I succeed, it will be the biggest achievement in my political career and to the party, which has given me so much. If I do not succeed, I will call it quits from active politics or will hang on till I succeed in bringing in unity.

 

Was the Lingayat card played up because the party leadership did not feel comfortable in going to polls under you? It is possible. While the Vokkaligas see HD Deve Gowda or HD Kumaraswamy as their leader, the SC/STs have Mallikarjuna Kharge, S Parameshwar, and Siddaramaiah is considered a tall leader among Kurubas, the party leadership might have felt it is a bad move to alienate the Lingayats who have stood behind the party. But it is not in my nature to question the decision of the party leadership.