Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)
Bengaluru, Apr 6: "BJP is sure to win at least 22 Lok Sabha seats in this election. The future of the coalition government in the state will depend on what stand Congress legislators will take in such a scenario," said former chief minister and BJP state president, B S Yeddyurappa.
He was speaking at the programme of interaction with the media organized at the Press Club here on Friday April 5. He sought to analyse that the mutual understanding that the Congress and JD(S) have struck for the election has proved to be a boon for the BJP. "We will win not less than 22 seats in Karnataka. After the result, internal bickering and fights among the coalition partners are expected to aggravate. Further changes in the political scenario will depend on what stand the disgruntled Congress legislators will own. We have to wait and watch. There is no question of launching 'Operation Lotus'," he stated.
Yeddyurappa said that efforts to blackmail him are on. He claimed he has enough proofs and evidences to establish that the government and Kumaraswamy have been executing the plan to blackmail him through devious plans. He said the coalition leaders will suffer the consequences as the people are sure to give them a befitting reply. "People have now understood that the audio case was the brainchild of Kumaraswamy. I want the government to order an inquiry into that issue and bring out the truth," he said.
He said he fails to understand the connection between non-availability of helicopters and the central government. "We too have not been getting helicopters since a week. As all the parties are seeking helicopters, they are not available. How can Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, be held responsible for this?" he wanted to know in an apparent retort to Kumaraswamy's comments.
About fielding of Sumalaha in Mandya, Yeddyurappa said that he was not the one who fielded Sumalatha there and that at her request, the party leaders had extended to her unconditional support, besides not fielding any candidate on behalf of the party. "We have not been demanding her to join the BJP. People are agitated at the way Kumarasamy has been speaking ill of Sumalatha. Sumalatha will come out victorious. As I am busy touring the entire state for the election, chances of me undertaking campaign in Mandya are remote," he added.