In a show of strength, BJP strongman of Karnataka B S Yeddyurappa on thursday mobilised a sizeable number of legislators at a meeting convened by him apparently to exert pressure on the party central leadership to reinstate him as chief minister.

Yeddyurappa also roped in Rural Development Minister Jagadish Shettar and Home Minister R Ashoka who were in rival camp when he backed D V Sadananda Gowda to succeed him after being forced to quit as chief minister last August over his indictment in the Lokayukta report on illegal mining.

Yeddyurappa's "demonstration" ahead of BJP President Nitin Gadkari's arrival here tonight to preside over a two-day brainstorming session for the ruling party legislators beginning on Friday is seen as an attempt to step up pressure on the party leadership to reinstate him as chief minister.

"We discussed the current political situation, on the coming Udupi-Chikamagalur Lok Sabha byelection and on strengthening the party organisation," the party's state unit president K S Eshwarappa told reporters here, adding the issue giving "position" to Yeddyurappa did not come up for discussion.

Party sources said a team of state BJP leaders would meet Gadkari and brief him on the happenings in the party and government.

It's no secret that Yeddyurappa has fallen out with Sadananda Gowda, who was hand-picked by him for chief ministership, as the latter was seen in recent times of seeking to assert himself and coming out of Yeddyurappa's shadow.