Yeddy to Obey BJP High Command on Shifting to National Politics

From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore

Bangalore, Dec 24: Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa, who had recently announced his desire to move to national politics after the next assembly polls in the state, has indicated that he had already discussed the issue with the BJP national president Nitin Gadkari and would abide by the decision of the party high command.

''I would like to ensure that the BJP is re-elected with a thumping majority of 150 out of the 224 assembly seats in the state," he said.

A couple days ago in Shimoga, Yeddyurappa had said that he would quit State politics after the next Assembly elections and the matter had been brought to the notice of Gadkari.

He said that he would shift to national politics and possibly become a member of the Rajya Sabha.

“I have discussed with Gadkari. Whatever decision I am going to take, that will be finally decided by central party leaders. According to their direction, I will proceed further," the chief minister said in an informal chat with reporters.

While the state party leaders have not publicly reacted to the chief minister’s desire to move to national politics, the all powerful Bellary mining lord Gali Janardhna Reddy, who had caused nightmares to Yeddyurappa by raising a banner of revolt demanding his ouster, was the first ruling party leader in the state to urge the chief minister not to shift to Delhi and suggested that Karnataka and BJP needed the benefit of his leadership.

However, opposition Congress leaders including KPCC chief Dr G Parameshwar and state JD(S) president and former chief minister H D Kumaraswamy have asked Yeddyurappa to immediately leave the state politics. ''Why does he want to continue in the state for another two and half years?," Dr Parameshwar asked.

The chief minister said he would like to complete the remaining two and half years of his rule to fulfill the electoral promises made by the party and ensure that Karnataka emerged as the premier state in the country. ''The development mantra and the various programmes taken by the government would ensure that the development of the state is unhindered," he said and warned that the Congress and JD(S) will have to be content with their role in the opposition for several more years.

To a question on whether he would call on Governor H R Bhardwaj to discuss issues raised by the later, Yeddyurappa said there was no possibility of meeting the Governor immediately as he is going to Mandya for campaigning in the taluk and zilla panchayat elections.

The Governor had raised the issue of alleged corruption involving some Ministers in the cabinet and land scams.

The chief minister said there are many issues to be discussed with the Governor.

''I would definitely meet the Governor and discuss the issues after announcement of results of elections to taluk and zilla panchayats on December 26 and 31.Repolling if necessary will be held on January 1 and the results will be known on January 4," he said making it clear that he would certainly meet the Governor later.

"Allegations against Anant Kumar is Congress Conspiracy"

Asked about BJP plan to launch a “Governor hatao" campaign in Karnataka, Yeddyurappa said he said he would discuss with Cabinet ministers regarding writing a letter to President Pratibha Patil complaining about the Governor and then take a decision on it.

Yeddyurappa sought to sidestep the issue of the alleged involvement of former Union Minister and MP H N Ananth Kumar in 2-G spectrum scam as revealed in the Niira Radia tapes and termed it as a “systematic conspiracy" by the Congress to deliberately create confusion by bring up “all irrelevant names".

“The Congress failed to conduct parliament session leading to hanging our heads (in shame). So, now they want to create confusion this way or that way. Truth will come out.  This is a baseless allegation against Ananth Kumar," he said.

The Chief Minster exuded confidence that that the ruling party would emerge victorious in a majority of ZPs. The government’s developmental schemes are sufficient to fetch votes to party candidates. The electorate would give a fitting reply to the Congress and JD(S) in the coming elections, he said.