Daijiworld Media Network - Kundapur (SP)

Kundapur, Mar 14: Fully aware of the damage the image of the party has suffered because of the dissidence in the party at the critical time of the Lok Sabha election which can hijack the party’s chances, and feeling helpless and frustrated after succeeding in calming down the nerves of only a couple of revolting leaders, Yeddyurappa asked ex-union minister Basanagouda Yatnal to shut up. "Bringing the dissidence in the open and making public accusations on party leaders is Congress culture. He should come to talk with the party leaders first," he advised.

Claiming that the BJP has amply rewarded Yatnal by making him the MP and union minister, he said the MP should understand the culture of the BJP of finding solutions at home, without bringing it to the open. Addressing a mega convention of the party workers as a prelude to the Lok Sabha election at the JNR Kalamandir in Byndoor on Friday March 13, he said the party is facing only minor differences and asked party workers to realize that unity is the strength of the party.

Launching a diatribe against the Congress, he claimed that country and the state are experiencing a refreshing change in administrative mechanism only after the BJP came to power at the centre and the state. He also added that only the BJP can put the country on developmental track and criticized the Congress for working overtime to ensure that no national party gets majority in the Lok Sabha.

He also expressed his anger about the allegation of 'authoritarian' behaviour levelled against him by leaders Shanappa and Yatnal besides the criticism about fielding Gurupadappa Nagamarapalli, who crossed over from the Congress, as a Lok Sabha candidate from the party. He said, that the BJP had earlier made Shanappa a Rajya Sabha member and that Nagamarapalli was admitted into the party as per the instructions of L K Advani.

Touching upon the issue of candidature of his son B Y Raghavendra from Shimoga Lok Sabha constituency, the chief minister said that his son got the ticket because of senior leader A G Kodgi, party workers and the organizational set up of the party.