Yeddyurappa was given a hero’s welcome on Monday by the party men and some of the members of his coterie on his return from Delhi, projecting the survival of three-year-old BJP government as the victory of Yeddyurappa.
Almost all the Cabinet ministers and top party leaders, including K S Eshwarappa, made it a point to be present at the airport to welcome their leader – indicating Yeddyurappa has consolidated his position as the Chief Minister as well as within the party. Right from the airport to the BJP office at Malleswaram, the party men raised slogans in favour of Yeddyurappa and greeted him for emerging victorious after a week-long political uncertainty following the Governor’s report to the Centre.
Eshwarappa, who had till recently campaigned for the leadership change within the party, said he and his party will stand by Yeddyurappa in the next two years and help him provide an effective administration.
Addressing reporters on his arrival, Yeddyurappa kept up his attack against the Governor and said that he should opt a graceful exit by voluntarily resigning from his post.
“It’s time, he (Bhardwaj) voluntarily quit. I am confident that he will do so very soon,” he stated.
‘Need to watch Bhardwaj’
“There is need for us to keep a close watch on the Governor’s actions. Instead of guiding the Government on development issues, he had joined hands with Opposition parties to conspire against the Government. It is unpardonable,” the Chief Minister stated and added that BJP central leadership has taken up the responsibility to ensure his removal.
Yeddyurappa said both the Congress and the JD(S) should apologise to the people of the State for attempting to topple his government.
“JD(S) chief Deve Gowda moved heaven and earth to topple the Government. But he failed. Had Opposition parties cooperated with the Government in the last three years, Karnataka would have been far ahead of Gujarat in terms of development,” the Chief Minister stated.
Advisory
Asked about the Centre’s advisory to the State, Yeddyurappa said the government has so far not received any.
The Chief Minister said he has directed his Cabinet colleagues to concentrate on development in the next two years. They have been directed to attend to their office work in Vidhana Soudha at least for three days.
Besides, he said, he has convened a meeting of top officials on Wednesday to chalk out plans for the speedy implementation of the Budget programmes.
