Daijiworld Media Network - Shivamogga

Shivamogga, May 2: While BJP national president Amit Shah has claimed he had nothing to do with the Reddy brothers, BJP state chief and chief ministerial candidate B S Yeddyurappa has confirmed that tickets were given to them only after Shah's approval.

Yeddyurappa in an interview to India Today said that Janardhana Reddy was not contesting the polls but only helping the BJP party to win Ballari and the 15 adjoining districts. On asked if giving tickets to G Karunakar Reddy and G Somashekar Reddy was morally right, Yeddyurappa said, "Amit Shah had said that Janardhana Reddy will not contest."

When asked if the Reddy brothers were given tickets with Shah's approaval then, Yeddyurappa replied, "Yes, of course, with Amit Shah's approval."

Agreeing he had "learnt his lesson" during his tenure when Reddy was implicated in the Ballari mining scam, he said he had no objection in taking Reddy’s help as achieving the target of 150 seats was the foremost goal.

When questioned if Modi government’s view of zero tolerance to corruption was contrary to tickets being given to Reddy brothers, Yeddyurappa shot back saying, giving tickets did not mean BJP supported corruption. "We are cautiously and carefully handling things," he said.

On chief minister Siddaramaiah’s comment that BJP is flying in national leaders to campaign as it lacks strong state leadership, Yeddyurappa questioned on why Congress was bringing Rahul Gandhi to campaign. "Was he born in Karnataka?" he lashed out.

He added that PM Modi was only making time from his hectic schedule for a \Congress-mukt Bharat'.

Yeddyurappa blamed Siddaramaiah government for corruption, misuse of funds and many other failures and assured to bring in transparency if were to be elected chief minister.