Sparked speculation of political alliance when BS Yeddyurappa goes to DK Shivakumar home

BENGALURU: Political media were berzerk with speculation on Wednesday after BJP president and opposition leader in the legislative assembly BS Yeddyurappa made a surprise visit to Congress troubleshooter and water resource minister DK Shivakumar at his official residence in bangalore.

Yeddyurappa, accompanied by son and Shivamogga MP BY Raghavendra, met Shivakumar for over an hour. While the visit was apparently to seek his intervene 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 approached  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.