Former chief minister B.S. Yeddyurappa on Friday took on his Shimoga counterpart K.S. Eshwarappa and told him that if he wanted the Jagadish Shettar government to survive, the deputy chief minister should stop criticising him and his loyalists.
“If you want the state government to keep running, then stop your criticism”, said Mr Yeddyurappa who was irked over the BJP decision not to invite him to a Bhagyalakshmi bond function organised in Shimoga on Thursday.
The function was attended by Mr Eshwarappa who had said that BJP leaders who attend the launch of Karnataka Janata Party (KJP) in Haveri on December 9, would be identified as KJP leaders. Loyalists of BSY had also stormed the venue to protest against the failure to invite their leader to the function .
Speaking to reporters here on Friday, Mr Yeddyurappa said, “We now have a coalition government in the state. If Mr Eshwarappa want it to continue functioning, then he better keep quiet. Or else he will have to face problems. If he feels I am no longer necessary, then let the government be dissolved and let’s face election.”
Continuing his tirade, the former CM said: “On one hand Mr Eshwarappa says sincere efforts are being made to retain me in the BJP and on the other hand, he warns of disciplinary action against those who participate in the KJP launch programme on December 9. Such dual standards are intolerable.”
“If he dares take action against my supporters then he will have to face the music. The leaders who have the guts, will follow me when I launch KJP. Leaders like Harihar MLA B.P.Harish have the courage to join me in my new political venture. Some of them wil be joining me later due to personal reasons”, Mr Yeddyurappa claimed.
He wanter ministers, MLAs and MPs loyal to him to participate in the Haveri convention without fear.
“They will not face any problem. I have already come out of the BJP and will resign as MLA in November last week. The BJP leaders can then take any action they want against me.”