Bengaluru: BJP National Secretary and State In-charge Muralidhar Rao who was in Bengaluru on Sunday, following the growing drift between BJP’s top state leaders-BS Yeddyurappa and K S Eshwarappa, dropped clear hints that the party is with BSY and that Eshwarappa had to mend his ways.

Rao during a meeting which was attended by BSY faction and some neutral leaders has said that the BJP is committed towards its agenda of making a Congress-free Karnataka and that ‘Making Karnataka’ will materialise under leadership of BS Yeddyurappa.

“We need to stand united. The BJP is one party which gives ample room for internal democracy where we solve the problems in the party among ourselves,” he told the gathering, specifically stating that there is no scope for any revolt in the party.

Rao in a brief statement to the media said the BJP leadership has been watching the developments in Karnataka. “BJP workers or leaders participating in the activities of Sangolli Rayanna Brigade(SRB) or any other entity would not be tolerated. BJP leaders should not discuss internal issues with media persons,’’ Rao said.

KSE absent

However, what was evident all the while was that K S Eshwarappa opted to remain absent during Rao’s meeting. Not just Eshwarappa, several leaders who had been associated with him too remained absent. Even as Rao was in the city, Eshwarappa had left for Shivamogga on Sunday morning and had a brief talk with reporters at Tumakuru, where he again made some references to BS Yeddyurappa. It is said that Rao’s decision of stripping off two leaders from KSE faction off party’s responsibility had raged Eshwarappa.

It is said that Eshwarappa and his supporters will also stay away from the BJP Executive meet slated to be held on May 6 and 7 in Mysuru.

Former Deputy Chief Minister R Ashok, BJP state general secretary Aravinda Limbavali, senior leaders Govind Karjol were among those who met Rao and expressed their views on the feud between Yeddyurappa and Eshwarappa.