“I challenge  Gowda to prove the allegations made against us at the JD(S) State executive meeting. I am ready for a public debate”,  Yediyurappa said while addressing a press conference in Bangalore on Sunday.

Yediyurappa offered to quit from politics if it was proved that he had not visited the victims of the violence in Mangalore as claimed by Mr Gowda.

“Let him prove the charges. I am ready to quit or else Mr Gowda has to tender a public apology”, he said.

Reacting to Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy’s statement about a conspiracy within the BJP had prevented him from transferring power, Mr Yediyurappa termed it as “utter lies”. “He cannot tolerate unity among us and is trying to create confusion within our party. He will not succeed”, he said. The BJP leader warned of a state-wide agitation if the ‘minority government’ misuses power. “No file should be cleared by JD(S) ministers. Officers too should not succumb to pressure from the ministers”.

Earlier, addressing a huge gathering in front of M G statue, Mr Yediyurappa went all out against Mr Gowda and Mr Kumaraswamy.

Criticising the JD(S) President for playing the communal card and for questioning the BJP leaders’ integrity, Mr Yediyurappa listed out the budgetary allocations made by him as the State’s finance minister for the welfare of poor, minorities and farmers.

“Didn't you then appreciate the good works? You did not have any problem then, are you raking this issue now to appease the minorities and to keep your son as the chief minister ?” he asked Mr Gowda.

“From now on, wherever you go, you will be asked whether you are the person who betrayed Yediyurappa”, he said.

Challenging the JD(S) to seek a fresh mandate, he said that the BJP would emerge victorious if mid-term polls were held as the people were fed up of Gowda’s betrayal tactics.