Former Karnataka chief minister B.S. Yeddyurappa declared that he would part ways with the BJP, a party which he steered to power for the first time in Karnataka in 2008, and launch his own outfit shortly. Speaking to media persons after offering puja at Gowramma temple, an ancient shrine in Mugalolli village in Chikmagalur district on Wednesday, Mr Yeddyurappa said though he was not keen on breaking free from a party of which he was a member for over four decades, he was forced to do so as some of his colleagues had conspired against him. He categorically ruled out the possibility of staging a come-back either as president of the state unit of BJP or as chief minister.
He, however, clarified he would not destabilise the government headed by chief minister Jagadish Shettar, saying he had played a crucial role in Mr Shettar taking over the reins from D.V. Sadananda Gowda in July.
Slamming senior central leaders of the BJP, Mr Yeddyurappa charged that they only made hollow promises during their visits to Karnataka. “I will neither go to them nor meet them if they come here. Let them (leaders) do whatever they want, I am no way concerned with the affairs of the party. At present, my objective is to tour the state and elicit the opinion of my admirers and followers,” he added.