Incarcerated former Karnataka chief minister B.S. Yeddyurappa is miffed with L.K. Advani over his caustic remarks on corruption, and even warned of a counter-offensive in case the patriarch and senior Central leaders continue to make unpleasant comments against him.
The former chief minister reportedly spoke his mind to confidants — ministers and legislators — who called on him in prison earlier this week. Mr Yeddyurappa reportedly criticised Mr Advani, saying the leader was repeatedly mentioning charges of corruption against the former and that neither he nor senior colleagues will defend the former chief minister. He told the group that if Central leaders ignore his support base and contribution to the party, he might be forced to prove his strength separately. To start with, he will ask his supporters to maintain a low profile during Mr Advani’s ‘Janchetna Yatra’ in Karnataka, sources in the party said.
Rattled by such a threat, state BJP president K.S. Eshwarappa and other leaders have asked ministers and legislators to attend Mr Advani’s public meeting in Bengaluru on October 30 and to join the yatra the next day.
Mr Eshwarappa summoned ministers Mr Basavaraj Bommai and Mr Laxman Savadi, who met the former CM in prison earlier this week, and rural development minister Jagadish Shettar and his supporters to discuss arrangements for the rally here and to make sure that everyone attend the event as a show of unity in the ruling party in Karnataka.