“If the JD(S) MLAs and leaders feel that we have been cheated and the party had went against their conscience, they are welcome to the BJP. We will welcome them and treat them with dignity. All those who feel that injustice had been done to us, such people can join hands with our party,” Mr Yediyurappa said at a press conference.
Describing the leaders in the JD(S) to modern Brahmarakshasas, he claimed that party leaders were attempting for a remarriage after the talks failed in New Delhi.

“We decided to go to the people’s court” as it was the best option, he added.

Vigil
On his rushing to Bangalore from Tumkur, he said he wanted to be in the capital to keep close watch on political developments as Kumaraswamy had been called by the Governor.

Mr Yediyurappa declined to react to the Governor’s decision to recommend President’s rule in the State.

Emotional tone
Later on, addressing a public gathering, as a part of the ‘Dharma Yatra,’ he became emotional while explaining the party’s achievements in the coalition government.

BJP State President Sandananda Gowda, leaders Ananth Kumar, Jagadeesh Shettar, D H Shankarmurthy, B B Shivappa, Bharathi Shetty, MLAs D N Jeevaraj, C T Ravi, M P Kumaraswamy and others were present.

BJP National General Secretary Ananth Kumar announced  that if the BJP was voted to power, then Bababudangiri will be converted completely into Dattatreya Peetha.

“The yathra has entered second day, at the punyabhoomi where the Dattapeetha is installed. People will teach a proper lesson to Deve Gowda, for scheming to ruin the political carrers of leaders like Veerendra Patil, Ramakrishna Hegde, S R Bommai, J H Patel, Nagegowda, Y K Ramaiah, Bhairegowda,” Mr Ananth Kumar said.
Addressing a meeting at Nehru maidan in Mangalore, Yediyurappa declared he would retire from politics if Deve Gowda proved that he (Yediyurappa) had not visited the houses of those who were killed during the Mangalore communal riots.

“Mr Deve Gowda has been telling that only his son Mr Kumaraswamy has visited the houses of the deceased and consoled the family, and I had been taking rest in the Circuit House. If he proves his allegation, I will retire from politics,” he stated.

He claimed that “the JD(S) was scared that it would lose its identity forever as the programmes launched by him as the Deputy Chief Minister were popular. It is only the identity crisis that made them to deny power transfer,” Mr Yediyurappa  added.

BJP TO CONTINUE RALLY
DH News Service, Bangalore:  The BJP now plans to sustain its campaign against the JD(S) and the Congress till the elections are held.

The week-long “punish the promise breakers and save Karnataka campaign” has been extended till the month-end.

Party National President Rajnath Singh and other top central leaders including L K Advani will now descend to Bangalore, to participate in a mass rally to be organised during the last week of October.

The process of revamping the party’s booth committees, which has been completed in places where the urban local body polls were held, will now be extended to the entire State.

The booth committees will be entrusted with the task of sustaining the campaign against its estranged coalition partner, the JD(S), during the coming months, party sources said.

Speaking to reporters here, Mr Yediyurappa remained non-committal whether he had heeded to opening a channel of negotiation with the JD(S).