Daijiworld Media Network – Shimoga (SP)

Shimoga, Dec 25: Karnataka BJP chief, K S Eshwarappa, said in a press conference convened here on Saturday December 24 that he will follow only the diktats of the national leaders of the party. “Our national leaders have said that collective leadership style should be followed in the state. We are following this model as per their advice. I believe that former Chief Minister, Yeddyurappa too is bound by this instruction. At the same time, I do not want to react to Yeddyurappa’s insistence on individual leadership,” he added.

Countering this statement, Yeddyurappa, speaking to media persons at his residence in Shikaripur in the district, asked Eshwarappa to go in search of other leaders, if he is not inclined to accept the former’s leadership.

“Everyone in the state knows that I am the sole leader for the state BJP. I do not give a damn to Eshwarappa’s insistence on collective leadership. For a house or organization, there is a sole leader. This applies to political parties too,” he insisted.

Yeddyurappa, reacting to questions about giving representation to this district in the cabinet expansion, said that the expansion will not take place for the present. He also termed the reports of his efforts to form a regional party along with some others, as baseless. “I built BJP in the state. There is no question of leaving it,” he stressed.