Puttur: Signs of reconciliation between Puthila Parivar and BJP?

Puttur: There are signs of unity in the BJP camp in Puttur, which split during the last state assembly elections, with the exit of Arun Kumar Puthila. The possibility of Puthila Parivar, led by Arun Kumar Puthila himself, rejoining the party has increased.

Sources say that talks between Puthila Parivar and BJP leaders have been fruitful. There’s a chance of him joining the BJP within three to four days, ending the nine-month hiatus.

Vote split setback for BJP

Arun Puthila had been a BJP aspirant in the last two terms of Assembly elections, and was pacified by giving a party position. However, when he was denied the ticket again by the BJP in 2023, he chose to contest as an independent, causing a rift. This led to BJP being pushed to the third position in its stronghold. After the defeat, the BJP lost two constituencies in gram panchayat by-elections. Despite winning a seat in the Municipal Council by-election, BJP’s vote tally shows it suffered a setback.

Talks held many times

After the elections, talks were held in the presence of national leaders to unite the factions. Puthila Parivar organized service programs, keeping their distance from the BJP. In the Gram Panchayat by-elections, an agreement was reached to stop Puthila Parivar from contesting, but it didn’t yield significant results. Despite allying in the cooperative societies’ elections, they opted to contest separately in the municipal by-elections.

Behind-the-scenes talks?

Dr. Suresh Putturaya, a notable leader of Puthila Parivar, created a stir by supporting the BJP candidate in the Nagar Sabha by-election, sparking a substantial debate with varying opinions. Subsequently, he participated in a program with Puthila Parivar. Through Putturaya’s involvement, attempts were made to bring Puthila back into the BJP. Against this backdrop, leaders at the high levels of Sangh Parivar and BJP also stepped in, sources said.

Meanwhile, it is said that there have been discussions to offer the presidentship of BJP Rural Mandal to Arun Puthila to woo him back. Talks were successful, and there’s a possibility of Puthila Parivar merging with BJP. Arun Puthila, who demanded district presidentship, has agreed to become the mandal president, sources said.

But, there are still voices of dissent to this move. Some BJP and Sangh Parivar leaders have opposed Arun Putthla’s inclusion. Efforts are on to pacify them considering the Lok Sabha elections. If not, there’s a chance that the high command could induct Puthila directly as it did in the case of Jagadish Shettar, sources added.