Former chief minister B.S. Yeddyurappa continued to keep the Bharatiya Janata Party top brass on tenterhooks by making a not-so-subtle attack on deputy chief minister K.S. Eshwarappa’s performance and suggesting he resign from the post to concentrate on party affairs, on Tuesday. Speaking to reporters in Haveri, he maintained Mr Eshwarappa was finding it difficult to juggle his responsibilities as BJP chief and deputy chief minister in charge of the revenue portfolio, and his only option was to quit as deputy chief minister.
“Eshwarappa had relinquished his ministerial berth earlier to organise the BJP and had also pledged to bring the party back to power in the state without relying on caste or money power. He should fulfill his promise if he is concerned about the party and take on the forthcoming elections as a challenge by quitting as deputy chief minister,” Mr Yeddyurappa said. Reiterating that he was not aspiring for the post of state BJP president, he said he would continue to work as an ordinary worker to strengthen the party by touring the state. Accusing leaders within his party of forcing him to quit as chief minister by hatching a conspiracy with the Opposition, Mr Yeddyurappa said the BJP leadership should recognise his contribution to the development of the state and party.
Keeping the pressure up on the party top brass to keep him in good humour, he later said he would disclose his next course of action after completing the second phase of his tour of the drought-hit regions. Addressing partymen who felicitated him in Hosaritti village, Haveri taluk, he expressed confidence that he would become chief minister again with the blessings of the farming community.
Declaring that he would not tolerate it if “my own BJP government neglects the interests of farmers,” he claimed he would have set aside at least Rs 10,000 crore every year in the state’s budget for the welfare of the farmers if he had continued as chief minister.