In a signal that he was not going to sit idle as the BJP sidelined him and his supporters, after they were left out of the four teams constituted to lead the ruling party’s campaign in next month’s Legislative Council polls, former chief minister B.S. Yeddyurappa not only announced his decision to keep away from electioneering, but also predicted the party would lose all the seats in contention.
“Mr Sadananda Gowda and Mr Eshwarappa had taken such visionless decisions during the recent by-election to Lok Sabha, resulting in loss of the seat. The results will be a repeat this time. Such committees do more harm than good,” he said. The former chief minister, speaking from his new office in Malleswaram on Monday told the media that Chief Minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda and state unit chief K.S. Eshwarappa would be blamed for the debacle as it did in the recent bypoll to Udupi-Chikmagalur Lok Sabha seat.
If senior leaders like him were ignored by the state unit, such moves would send a wrong message to party workers, he said. “The leadership should be aware of the consequences of sidelining seniors,” he added. He also dismissed Mr Eshwarappa’s remarks on being a tough leader capable of overcoming all hurdles. “I do not need the sympathy of state unit president or national leaders.” Turning away representations from those seeking government jobs or transfers and postings, he said he would only look into grievances regarding health, sanitation and infrastructure.