Lack of public support, particularly from the MLAs loyal to him, seem to have forced former chief minister B.S. Yeddyurappa to cancel his dharna in front of the Gandhi statue near Anand Rao Circle here. Mr Yeddyurappa announced that Saturday evening’s heavy rain had prevented his supporters from joining the dharna and was also inconveniencing the others on dharna with thim, and hence, he had decided to call of his protest which he had planned to extend by two more days.
Earlier in the day, Mr Yeddyurappa, upset over his party men not supporting him, criticised senior leaders for not safeguarding Karnataka’s interest in Cauvery issue. On Saturday, the Cauvery issue took a back seat as Mr Yeddyurappa took the opportunity to take a dig at his detractors. His supporters also criticized BJP leaders for not giving any position to the BJP strongman.
Sources close to the former CM told this newspaper that he was upset with Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar and his close aide, Water Resources minister Basavaraj Bommai, for not speaking to him even after he launched his dharna. Disappointed with the poor response to his protesters from his own supporters and also the public, Mr Yeddyurappa reportedly told his close aides that he was upset as even those MLAs loyal to him did not evince interest in joining him. But, Saturday evening’s heavy rain came to his rescue and he called off his agitation.
The former CM also criticized his bete noire Ananth Kumar for not taking any initiative to take a delegation to the Prime Minister on the Cauvery issue. “Mr Ananth Kumar is on very good terms with party veteran Mr L.K. Advani. He can convince Mr Advani to take a delegation to the Prime Minister. If he fails to take a delegation to the PM, I will fight against him on the street”, Mr Yeddyurappa warned.
“Mr Ananth Kumar is wasting time by merely making public statements. Without any hard work, he is enjoying power. If he sits idle in Bengaluru, people will teach him a lesson”, Mr Yeddyurappa remarked. Taking dig at Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar, the former CM said, “The Chief Minister should take the guidance of experienced politician like Mr D.B. Chandregowda instead of listening too much to the two deputy Chief Ministers and law minister. I requested the CM to convene a meeting of MPs to discuss Cauvery issue, but he has not called for any such meeting”, he said. Before winding up his two-day dharna, Mr Yeddyurappa demanded the Prime Minister to recall his earlier order on releasing water to TN.