Bangalore: Eshwarappa Under Fire from Yeddy Loyalist Ministers

From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore

Bangalore, Jun 7: After loyalist ministers of former Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa in Karnataka’s D V Sadananda Gowda cabinet like V Somanna, Umesh Katti and B N Bache Gowda openly lambasted State BJP president K S Eshwarappa for his disparaging remarks regarding luring migrants from other parties by offering money and muscle power to stabilize the government, another Yeddyurappa loyalist minister M P Renukacharya lashed out at Eshwarappa.

''Eshwarappa is totally wrong and his claims are entirely baseless,” Renukacharaya said referring to the State BJP President’s recent statements at a public function in Shimoga, when he said the admission of leaders from other political parties was the main reason for the current sorry state of affairs in the party.

''Yeddyurappa’s astute leadership helped to win a majority of seats in the last assembly elections,” Renukacharya said pointing out that those joined the party won the elections on their stature as well as party workers’ support.

Eshwarappa had said admission of leaders from other political parties was a major reason for the current bad state of affairs in the party. Several migrants were admitted to the party by giving them money to win elections, the State BJP Chief had said.

Eshwarappa had also said the party regretted giving tickets in an “indiscriminate manner” to secure power.

Renukacharya, who holds the Excise portfolio, said several ministers and other leaders who joined BJP from other parties were deeply hurt and pained by Eshwarappa’s statement. Eshwarappa had attributed to the poor state of affairs in the party to the use of money and muscle power and inclusion of migrants.

While Umesh Katti, Somanna and Bache Gowda are originally Janata Dal men, Renukacharaya had first won as an independent and later joined the BJP.

Umesh Katti, who is serving as Agriculture Minister, had quit Janata Dal (Secular) and joined the BJP under the party’s controversial ''Operation Lotus,” asked Eshwarappa to be more responsible and sensible in his comments. ''The people and party workers would not tolerate such loose talk and irresponsible behaviour from persons holding important positions in the party,” he said.

Labour Minister Bache Gowda, who dumped JD(S) and joined BJP, had won in the 2008 assembly polls on BJP ticket. ''It is unbecoming on the part of Eshwarappa to make highly irresponsible and senseless comments,” he said pointing out that such comments would tarnish and lower the party image.

Yeddyurappa’s loyalist Housing Minister Somanna, who had left JD(S) to join S M Krishna-led Congress and won on the party ticket, had quit Congress and joined BJP under “Operation Lotus,” also criticised Eshwarappa for his statement.

''Yeddyurappa’s dynamic leadership helped the party to win a majority of seats in the last assembly elections. Those who have joined the party won the elections on their stature as well as party workers’ support,” he said.

''Ministers C M Udasi, Umesh Katti, B N Bache Gowda, Basavaraj Bommai, and D B Chandre Gowda, MP, joined the party and won the elections. But it was wrong on the party of Eshwarappa to attribute poor state of affairs in the party to these leaders,” the Excise Minister said.

“Many leaders have joined the party and accepted the BJP’s policies and programmes. Issuing discriminatory statements to sideline migrants cannot be justified,” Renukacharya said.
 

''No Plans to Issue Fresh Liquor Licences"

The Minister declared that there were no proposals before the State Government to issue fresh licenses for opening new liquor shops or bars and restaurants in the State.

He said the Department has permitted State owned Mysore Sales International Limited (MSIL) to open 341 liquor outlets across the State. It has already opened 319 shops.

The Indian made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) registered sale of 33.81 lakh boxes in April 2012 against 32.32 lakh boxes in April 2011.

Revenue collection stood at Rs 871 crore at the end of May, he said.

The Department has set a target to mobilise Rs 11,200 crore in 2012-13. The collection in 2011-12 stood at Rs 9,200 crore, Renukacharya said.

The Minister attributed the jump in the sale of liquor to revision of tariff and curbing the manufacture of illicit liquor.

However, he claimed that the “liquor prices are still lowest in the State compared to prices in neighboring states.”