Denying charges of involvement in illegal mining cases, former chief minister B.S. Yedd-yurappa accused his own party colleagues of hatching a conspiracy to entangle him in the report of the Supreme Court-appointed Central Empowered Committee (CEC).

Speaking to media persons at Gadag on Thursday, Mr Yeddyurappa stated “There is no truth in charges of corruption levelled against me in grant of mining leases. Our own party men have played a prominent role to influence the CEC probe and get me indicted.

These people cannot tolerate my growing popularity and development work executed by my government. I am confident that I will be exonerated by the CEC probe and that my innocence will be proved shortly.”

The former chief minister, who attacked the state government for not providing succor in drought-hit areas before commencing his state-wide tour, blamed officers for not tackling scarcity conditions on a war footing.

Urging the chief secretary to visit drought-hit areas, he said that officials should not be allowed to go on leave till they provide relief in affected areas.

Denying any political motive behind his tour of drought affected region, he said he would submit a report to the Chief Minister at the end of his tour. Besides, such a tour would help enhance the image of the party at grassroots level, he added.

Respite for BJP top brass for the time being

This is something Chief Minister Sadananda Gowda and his team are going to love. Former CM B.S. Yeddyurappa, who has made life difficult for the CM with his constant niggling for the top post, has decided to stay in the parched fields of north Karnataka for some more time.

Yeddyurappa who was supposed to return to Bengaluru on April 9, will now extend his stay in drought hit areas for a few more days.

He has also decided to give the BJP top brass a respite by not pressurising them for a change of leadership, at least for now.

Sources close to Mr Yeddyurappa said his stay in the Lingayat-dominated areas in north Karnataka, is expected to help him get rid of the negative image he has earned because of his rebellious attitude. “With central leaders promised him a suitable post, he has decided to wait till that happens.

He has also decided to counter the rival group in the state BJP who project him as a liability for the party, by spending more time in drought affected areas and taking up the cause of these people”, sources said.

The former CM is expected to fire a fresh salvo only after Mr Gowda starts the process of expanding his Cabinet. Both central and state leaders of the party know quite well that an expansion without resolving the leadership issue is well nigh impossible.

Another reason why BSY has chosen to hold his fire, is the probe into illegal mining by the Central Empowered Committee (CEC) of the Supreme Court.

The CEC is likely to submit its report to the Supreme Court on April 11 in the case in which the former CM and his family members are facing charges of colluding with mining firms in return for favours. The BJP is likely to wait till then before taking a final call on the leadership issue.

If the CEC gives him a clean chit, no one can stop BSY from being reinstated as CM, the sources added.