BSY, son visit DKS, sparks speculation of political alliance

Benagluru, Nov 28: Political circles were abuzz with speculation on Wednesday after BJP president and opposition leader in the legislative assembly BS Yeddyurappa paid a surprise visit to Congress troubleshooter and water resource minister DK Shivakumar at his official residence here.
Yeddyurappa, accompanied by son and Shivamogga MP BY Raghavendra, met Shivakumar for over an hour. 

While the visit was ostensibly to seek his intervention in expediting some long-pending irrigation projects in Shivamogga, there was speculation that the former CM reportedly made an offer for a political alliance.

However, friends-turned-foes Shivakumar and Yeddyurappa dismissed this speculation, saying “there was nothing political’’ about the meeting. The BJP opposition leader said his visit was triggered only on account of urgent requirements of home district Shivamogga in the face of drought.

“I met him and urged him to provide funds to four pending lift irrigation projects in Shikaripura (Yeddyurappa’s home constituency), Shivamogga Rural and Soraba constituencies,’’ Yeddyurappa said after the meeting.

During the meeting, Raghavendra said they sought Rs 2,000 crore for the lift irrigation projects and they got a positive response. “The discussions happened between two leaders in the presence of officials from the forest department, water resources department and the PWD. There was no room for political discussions,” he said.

Shivakumar said Yeddyurappa wanted to meet him two months ago but couldn’t because of his hectic schedule. The absence of Kumar Bangarappa, BJP MLA from Soraba, and KB Ashok Naik, Shivamogga Rural MLA, fuelled talk about a political alliance.
During the meeting, sources said Shivakumar summoned forest minister R Shankar and asked him to ensure speedy clearance of the Sigandur Bridge.

The foundation stone was laid by Union surface transport minister Nitin Gadkari but an objection was filed and the Union ministry of environment and forests had not given the clearance. “We requested the forest minister to look into the matter,” said the Shivamogga MP.