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The BJP on Saturday swung into action to contain possible damage to the party, following disgruntled party leader Thippeswamy from Molakalmuru threatening to contest as a rebel candidate.

The party leadership is learnt to have directed state leaders to hold talks with Thippeswamy and make efforts to placate him. Thippeswamy has not only threatened to contest as a rebel but has been embarrassing the party by openly criticising its leaders.

Thippeswamy rebelled against the party after it denied him the ticket to contest the May 12 Assembly elections from Molakalmuru constituency. He is the sitting BJP MLA from the constituency.

Supporters of Thippeswamy staged a violent protest in Molakalmuru on Friday, throwing stones and slippers at Sriramulu, whom the party has decided to field from the constituency. It is feared in the party that its strategy to field Sriramulu from Molakalmuru would go haywire if the two leaders continue to fight in public.

The party is planning to win about seven ST reserved constituencies abutting Molakalmuru by fielding Sriramulu, who is an influential leader of the Nayaka community.

Sources in the BJP said state BJP president B S Yeddyurappa spoke to B Sriramulu over the phone and urged him not to precipitate the issue by openly criticising Thippeswamy. Sriramulu had dared Thippeswamy to contest against him and win the elections.

Besides, efforts are also on to placate other disgruntled leaders Appu Pattanashetti in Bijapur city, Jagadish Metgud in Bailahongal and Seema Masuti in Dharwad.