Bengaluru, Jul 5 (DHNS): BJP state president B S Yeddyurappa on Tuesday said he will file a defamation suit against Chief Minister Siddaramaiah if he does not tender a public apology for the “unsavoury” remarks made against BJP president Amit Shah.

Speaking to reporters after participating in a public outreach programme (door-to-door campaign) in Bengaluru, Yeddyurappa took exception to the statements made by Siddaramaiah at a Congress rally in Hassan on Monday.

Siddaramaiah had reportedly said that Shah is an accused in a murder case and would have been in jail if the NDA had not come to power at the Centre. “Siddaramaiah has been repeatedly making baseless and offensive remarks against Shah and me. The Supreme Court has cleared all cases against Shah. It is highly irresponsible for a chief minister to make such a statement. I will file a defamation case against him if he does not tender a public apology within three days,” Yeddyurappa said.

On seeking his reaction on Yeddyurappa’s demand, Siddaramaiah said he will not apologise and that he is ready to face the BJP in court.

Earlier, Yeddyurappa had breakfast at the residence of one Nataraju, a leader of the Devanga community, before launching the door-to-door campaign at Sampangiramnagar in Bengaluru. He appealed to people to vote for the BJP in the next Assembly polls and distributed pamphlets highlighting the achievements during the party’s regime in the state.

Yeddyurappa to host 66 Dalit families

Yeddyurappa has decided to invite 66 Dalit families from across the state to his residence in Bengaluru for lunch in the coming days.

According to Yeddyurappa’s office, it is at the houses of these 66 families that he had breakfast, lunch or dinner during his 42-day state-wide Janasamparka Abhiyan programme. Most of the families are Dalits. Besides lunch, Yeddyurappa will also felicitate them. The date for the lunch will be finalised shortly, sources said.

During the Abhiyan, Yeddyurappa travelled around 10,500 km, visited 27 districts covering 85 Assembly constituencies. During the tour, he held 27 meetings in Dalit colonies and participated in 32 public rallies and 34 party meetings, the sources added.