<p>Housing Minister V Somanna's decision to remain in the BJP could be the result of the efforts by senior party leaders, including Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, in brokering peace between him and party veteran B S Yediyurappa.</p>.<p>Speculation that Somanna would join Congress had kept the BJP on its toes.</p>.<p>The minister is seen as a resourceful leader, having a good rapport with Lingayat mutts.</p>.<p>Some see him as the next tallest Lingayat leader in BJP after Yediyurappa. The 5-time MLA is also crucial when it comes to the political affairs of Bengaluru, a key urban segment for BJP. </p>.<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/state/top-karnataka-stories/minister-somanna-is-with-bjp-and-will-remain-with-us-cm-bommai-1199771.html" target="_blank">Minister Somanna is with BJP and will remain with us: CM Bommai</a></strong></p>.<p>According to sources, Somanna felt "disrespected" in the BJP, which included among other things his perception that Yediyurappa's son B Y Vijayendra was gaining prominence.</p>.<p>This, at a time when Somanna's son Arun is said to be having political ambitions of his own.</p>.<p>The chief minister first made sure that Somanna attended party meetings in Hubballi, where discussions were held with the minister on safeguarding his "interests".</p>.<p>Bommai followed it up with a late Monday night meeting with Yediyurappa. The CM reportedly urged the veteran leader to share the stage with Somanna at a massive rally that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address in Davangere on March 25. </p>.<p>On Tuesday, Yediyurappa said he would "personally speak to Somanna" and convince him to remain in the BJP. </p>.<p>The Govindarajanagar MLA had skipped the first Vijaya Sankalpa yatre launched by BJP national president J P Nadda in Chamarajanagar, where he is the district incharge minister. </p>.<p>Having started his political journey as a corporator in 1983, Somanna became an MLA first in 1994 on a Janata Dal ticket from the erstwhile Binnypet segment.</p>.<p>In 1999, he retained the seat as an independent. In 2004 and 2008, he won on a Congress ticket. </p>.<p>According to BJP sources, Somanna plays a crucial role in building a harmonious bridge between Vokkaligas and Lingayats in the Vokkaliga-dominated south Karnataka.</p>.<p>“This was one of the primary reasons why Union Home Minister Amit Shah visited Somanna's house in December,” sources said.</p>.<p>Meanwhile, a video purportedly showing Somanna's son Arun criticising Yediyurappa's son Vijayendra has gone viral. </p>.<p>Somanna said his son was a 40-year-old adult and that he had nothing to do with what his son might have said. </p>
<p>Housing Minister V Somanna's decision to remain in the BJP could be the result of the efforts by senior party leaders, including Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, in brokering peace between him and party veteran B S Yediyurappa.</p>.<p>Speculation that Somanna would join Congress had kept the BJP on its toes.</p>.<p>The minister is seen as a resourceful leader, having a good rapport with Lingayat mutts.</p>.<p>Some see him as the next tallest Lingayat leader in BJP after Yediyurappa. The 5-time MLA is also crucial when it comes to the political affairs of Bengaluru, a key urban segment for BJP. </p>.<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/state/top-karnataka-stories/minister-somanna-is-with-bjp-and-will-remain-with-us-cm-bommai-1199771.html" target="_blank">Minister Somanna is with BJP and will remain with us: CM Bommai</a></strong></p>.<p>According to sources, Somanna felt "disrespected" in the BJP, which included among other things his perception that Yediyurappa's son B Y Vijayendra was gaining prominence.</p>.<p>This, at a time when Somanna's son Arun is said to be having political ambitions of his own.</p>.<p>The chief minister first made sure that Somanna attended party meetings in Hubballi, where discussions were held with the minister on safeguarding his "interests".</p>.<p>Bommai followed it up with a late Monday night meeting with Yediyurappa. The CM reportedly urged the veteran leader to share the stage with Somanna at a massive rally that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address in Davangere on March 25. </p>.<p>On Tuesday, Yediyurappa said he would "personally speak to Somanna" and convince him to remain in the BJP. </p>.<p>The Govindarajanagar MLA had skipped the first Vijaya Sankalpa yatre launched by BJP national president J P Nadda in Chamarajanagar, where he is the district incharge minister. </p>.<p>Having started his political journey as a corporator in 1983, Somanna became an MLA first in 1994 on a Janata Dal ticket from the erstwhile Binnypet segment.</p>.<p>In 1999, he retained the seat as an independent. In 2004 and 2008, he won on a Congress ticket. </p>.<p>According to BJP sources, Somanna plays a crucial role in building a harmonious bridge between Vokkaligas and Lingayats in the Vokkaliga-dominated south Karnataka.</p>.<p>“This was one of the primary reasons why Union Home Minister Amit Shah visited Somanna's house in December,” sources said.</p>.<p>Meanwhile, a video purportedly showing Somanna's son Arun criticising Yediyurappa's son Vijayendra has gone viral. </p>.<p>Somanna said his son was a 40-year-old adult and that he had nothing to do with what his son might have said. </p>