Vijayapura: A face-to-face meeting between BJP state president BY Vijayendra and expelled BJP MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal at Hubballi on Sunday night has sparked speculation of a thaw. A patch-up could help the BJP protect its prospects in the Vijayapura assembly seat and let Yatnal retain his relevance in the party.Yatnal, the Vijayapura city MLA, was expelled for six years after he kept up public attacks on former CM B S Yediyurappa and Vijayendra despite repeated appeals and warnings. He has, however, spared the party’s national leadership and hopes to be taken back. He has also hinted at launching a new outfit if BJP refuses.For BJP, the stakes are in Vijayapura. Yatnal’s personal following could swing the outcome if he contests independently, and even a losing run could eat into BJP’s vote share and help Congress. The damage could spread if he floats his proposed JCB Party and fields candidates elsewhere, though building a viable organisation and a wider base would be a tall order.A return would give Yatnal an established organisation and a bigger platform, without the uncertainties of a new party. For Vijayendra, ending the feud would show he can manage dissent and keep the state unit united.The circumstances have fuelled the buzz. Both attended a religious programme at Varur near Hubballi before meeting at a private gathering in Chebbi village. Yatnal reached a journalist’s residence ahead of Vijayendra, and the two exchanged pleasantries and spoke for nearly 30 minutes. The encounter was described as accidental, but political observers suspect it was planned.
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