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As many as 14 legislators, 7 MLCs and 2 MPs of the BJP had identified themselves with former chief minister BS Yeddyurappa’s political outfit, Karnataka Janata Paksha (KJP), by attending its launch last year. But when Yeddyurappa convened a meeting of his supporters last week, only six MLAs turned up.

It indicates the fast eroding support for Yeddyurappa and fingers are being pointed at rural development and panchayat raj minister Shobha Karandlaje, who is shortly quitting the BJP to join the KJP.

With the passing of each day, the number in Yeddyurappa camp is dwindling and the former CM is trying hard to retain his supporters within the KJP.

On Tuesday evening, five ministers owing allegiance to Yeddyurappa held secret negotiations with the Congress to join the party. Yedydurappa’s trusted lieutenants - water resources minister Basavaraja Bommai and agriculture minister Umesh Katti - are among those keen on joining the Congress.

The infighting in the KJP is forcing Yeddyurappa to eat his words. On New Year’s eve Yeddyurappa had said that the BJP government would not exist beyond January 5, but later he changed the deadline to January 15, because of sheer lack of numbers on his side.

"Last year, Yeddyurappa committed similar mistakes... This year too, he is continuing the same habit of issuing threats and withdrawing them. He is unable to take a hard step because his support base is fast eroding. We are in a dilemma - don’t know whether to continue in BJP or join KJP or knock the doors of some other party," said a minister loyal to Yeddyurappa on condition of anonymity.

The main reason for Yeddyurappa’s supporters to drift away from him is Shobha Karandlaje. She is showing clear signs of quitting the BJP by consistently attacking chief minister Jagadish Shettar and deputy CM & home minister R Ashoka. She is expected to tender resignation to the party after January 15 to join the KJP.

Apparently, Yeddyurappa is keen on appointing Shobha to an important post in the KJP and seasoned politicians feel that it may undermine their presence. "If Shobha starts calling the shots, we don’t want to report to her or work with her. What is our relevance in the party? We are much more experienced than her," a minister said.

Yeddyurappa is aware of the problem but he does not seem to be taking it seriously, as elections to the assembly are still three months away. "We are trying to sort out the matter. We are confident that nobody will desert Yeddyurappa," his aides contended.

The KJP is banking on the Lingayat (largest community in Karnataka) vote bank to grab power in the state. However, a recent survey by the party revealed that KJP could grab not more than 30 assembly segments, and it is worrying Yeddyurappa. If powerful ministers, who are loyal to Yeddyurappa, don’t join the KJP, then the party’s performance in the polls could be poorer.