‘We could have been No. 1 state, says B S Yeddyurappa

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If it was not for the repeated ‘disturbances’ created by Janata Dal (Secular) and Congress in the state, he would have made Karnataka overtake Gujarat in development, and grab the No. 1 place in the country, claimed Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa during the ‘Bruhat Janandolana Rally’ held at Nehru Maidan in Mangalore on Sunday.

“The Central government has appreciated Karnataka for its success in maintaining law and order, and also development. In development, Gujarat, which is also ruled by BJP, is No 1, and we are next to them,” he claimed.

Speaking about President’s rule in the state, he said that he had confidence in Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Union home minister P. Chidambaram that they would not allow President’s rule in the state.

“Our fight will continue till the Governor is called back by the Central government. I asked the Prime Minister to call the Governor back within 24 hours,” Mr Yeddyurappa said.

“I am ready to continue my fight for 4-5 months. However, are leaders of the JD(S) and the Congress ready? Will people allow them to enter villages,” he asked. Referring to the election results of Tamil Nadu and West Bengal, Mr Yeddyurappa claimed that in Karnataka, BJP would perform better than the winning parties did in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal.

He also told party workers that the Congress and Janata Dal (S) were trying to create a law and order crisis in Karnataka.

Meanwhile, hours before the Centre announced the rejection of governor H.R. Bhardwaj’s recommendation for President’s rule in the state, senior BJP leader and Rajya Sabha member Venkaiah Naidu warned that if the Centre failed to find an answer to the political uncertainty in Karnataka in 24 hours, the party would launch a nationwide protest.

BSY leaves for Delhi

Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa left Delhi on Sunday evening for discussions with the central leadership, a few hours before the Union Cabinet decision rejecting the recommendation for President’s rule.

Sources close to the chief minister said that if the situation demands, the BJP may not mind asking Speaker K.G. Bopaiah to step down as the SC has made adverse remarks against him.