BANGALORE: It wasn't exactly a walk to freedom, but when a grim-looking B S Yeddyurappa walked out of central jail on being granted bail on Tuesday, he was received like a home-coming hero by his not inconsiderable supporters.

After spending 24 days behind bars, the former CM stepped out at 6.40pm to bursting crackers, drumbeats and jubilant sloganeering. While his legal woes are far from over, the political activity in the state is expected to escalate with Yeddyurappa - smarting from the perceived harsh treatment meted out to him by the BJP high command - now looking to either chart a fresh path for himself or seek a realignment within the party.

Outside the confines of the jail, he will now have more leeway to politically steer the party and the government.