From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network
Davangere, Apr 24: With a battalion of BJP star campaigners led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, National President J P Nadda and Union Minister Smriti Irani descending on Karnataka for the party’s poll blitz, Chief Minister said he will thank former AICC President Rahul Gandhi for visiting Lingayat Maths just for ‘show-off’.
Speaking to media persons in Davangere on Monday, he claimed that Rahul Gandhi’s visits and his speeches will help the BJP.
“I never imagined becoming the Chief Minister but the high command decided it. Now also the high command will take a decision. Everything is being watched by the Delhi leaders,’’ he said.
Training his guns on KPCC Chief D K Shivakumar, Bommai said it said it was the Congress leaders who started the controversy over Lingayats joining the BJP.
“Shivakumar has the habit of saying something and doing another thing. Let us wait and watch whom the God will bless,’’ he said.
Asked about BJP MLA Madal Virupakshappa campaigning for his son in Channagiri, the Chief Minister said the high command is observing everything and will take a suitable decision.
Virupakshappa’s son Prashant was caught red-handed by the Lokayukta police with a cash of Rs 4 lakh collected as bribe towards supply of goods to the State-owned Karnataka Soaps and Detergents Ltd., which was headed by the Channagiri BJP MLA.
Both the father and son were arrested by the Lokayukta police in connection with a bribery case and a cash of over Rs 8 crore was seized from their residences. Virupakasappa has been denied a BJP ticket.
Shettar-Savadi exit will help BJP
Bommai said BJP will garner more votes than in the 2018 Assembly elections. The Congress leaders will be thanked for taking former Chief Miniser Jagadish Shettar and former Deputy Chief Minister Lakshman Savadi into their party.
“The exit of the two Lingayat leaders will be a plus point for the BJP. The voters of Shettar and Savadi are talking against the duo. They enjoyed all the power and then joined the Congress Party. This will not be accepted by the people,’’ he contended.
BJP victory celebrations on May 13
On claims by Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly Jagadish Shettar that his statement on the Lingayat CMs has been twisted, Bommai said: ‘the people are not fools and watching everything’.
Later, participating in a BJP roadshow at Harihar in the district, Bommai claimed that it is 100% confirmed that BJP will form the government.
“I have toured the entire State and am confident of the pulse of the people,’’ he said.
The Chief Minister said the BJP is all set for victory celebrations on May 13.