Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SR)
Bengaluru, Nov 2: Taking potshot at party leaders for not recognising the efforts made by disqualified Congress-JD(S) MLAs, Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa has said that he feels like he has committed a ‘crime’ by occupying the chief minister's post making disqualified MLAs trust in him.
Recently an alleged audio, purportedly recorded at a party meeting in Hubballi has surfaced, in which, Yediyurappa can be heard criticising the leaders over their opposition to giving tickets to disqualified Congress-JD(S) MLAs for the December 5 Assembly bypolls in 15 Assembly constituencies.
B S Yediyurappa
In the audio, Yediyurappa can be heard saying that the disqualified rebel Congress JD(S) MLAs were kept in Mumbai under the watch of BJP national president Amit Shah. In the audio, the chief minister said "Somehow today the way you (party leaders) spoke, did not seem to be intended at saving this government. You are aware that the
decision on 17 (MLAs) was not taken by Yediyurappa or any other state leader. It was known to the national president and under his watch for about two or two-and-a-half (months) they were kept in Mumbai and things happened. All of you are aware of it, right?"
"For 2.5 to 3 months they did not go to their constituency or see their wives and children and were put up there... You are aware of it, right?" he can be heard asking in the alleged audio clip.
Yediyurappa has recently promised that the disqualified MLAs would get tickets if they want to contest from the BJP. He has also stated that it does not matter whether the BJP wins or loses an election; he says the disqualified MLAs have given the party an opportunity to come to power by resigning the MLA's posts. He can be heard asking “In such a situation, we will stand with them (disqualified MLAs) strongly, come what may...it did not come from your mouths....what would you have done if you were in their position?,"
In the current situation, BJP needs to win at least six seats in the bypolls to 15 constituencies to be in a majority in the 224-member assembly.
Yediyurappa can be heard saying that he feels like he has committed a crime by coming to power, “My personal expectation was nothing other than the BJP government should come to power and do good work,” he says.
During the discussion, the CM can be heard repeatedly asking those attending the meeting not to disclose the discussion that has taken place outside.
He also said that the opinions expressed by leaders at the meeting would be brought to high command's notice.
"Ultimately the central leadership will take the decision. We are not in a position to take a decision... it is not possible also," he said.
The October 26 meeting was attended by BJP leaders from Gokak, Athani,Kagwad,Hirekerur,Yellapur, Vijayanagar, and Ranebennur constituencies. Party state president Nalin Kumar Kateel among other senior leaders, were also present at the meeting.
Yediyurappa frustrated at conduct of party leaders at disqualified legislators
Bengaluru, Nov 2: At a time when chief minister B S Yediyurappa, has been utterly grateful to disqualified legislators for causing the downfall of the coalition government in the state and ensuring that he became the chief minister of Karnataka, several leaders within his own party have been making unkind remarks about these legislators and making unauthorized statements about their future.
The disqualified MLAs are distressed that their sacrifice has not been recognized by BJP cadres. Some of them are dejected, and Yediyurappa is afraid that this may prove to be ominous for his government. He therefore is angry at the leaders who have been uttering statements against the disqualified legislators. He is particularly unhappy with the party's state president, some ministers, and leaders who have been scornful towards those who lost their assembly membership in their effort at helping the BJP. Yediyurappa has also reportedly told some leaders that they are damaging the prospects of the party and asked them to work unitedly for the victory of the disqualified legislators depending on the Supreme Court verdict.
Leaders like deputy chief minister Laxman Savadi and BJP state president Nalin Kumar Kateel, have said things against the disqualified legislators and tried to keep distance from them. Some have spoken as if the future of these legislators is left to themselves. Many are not ready to give up their claim for party tickets for the bypoll in favour of these disqualified MLAs. They have also warned of fighting the election as independents if they do not get tickets.
It is said that out of the three deputy chief ministers, two have not been conducting themselves as per the wishes of the chief minister most of the time. While the chief minister has been treating the disqualified MLAs as a part of his own party and sanctioning projects for their constituencies in an effort to ensure their victory in the bypoll, Laxman Savadi used abusive words against them. Ashwath Narayan, who was the main architect of the en masse resignations, has been keeping aloof from these MLAs. Govind Karjol is the lone unstinted supporter of Yediyurappa as per information.