BSY rules out mid-term poll

Yeddyurappa, who was here to attend the marriage of Kundgol MLA S I Chikkangoudra’s daughter, said the BJP in the State would remain united and complete its term. The party will emerge stronger and win with a thumping majority in the polls, he said.

The former chief minister said he would participate in the concluding ceremony of L K Advani’s Jan Chetana Yatra in New Delhi on November 29 and discuss with Advani the political situation in the State.

He clarified that he had not placed any demand before the central leadership for the post of State BJP president or chief minister.

Rousing welcome
Yeddyurappa’s visit to Hubli proved that the former chief minister is still a popular leader in the party.

A large number of BJP workers had gathered at the airport and gave a rousing welcome to Yeddyurappa, who visited Hubli for the first time after being released from jail.

He was then taken in a procession in an open jeep from the airport to Gokul Garden, the venue of the marriage, by his supporters.

Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister Jagadish Shettar, who was not seeing eye to eye with Yeddyurappa for quite some time now, also took part in the procession.
Interestingly, there was no such fanfare for Sadananda Gowda, when he arrived at the airport in a special helicopter just minutes after Yeddyurappa’s arrival.

The former chief minister was accompanied by Minister Basavaraj Bommai, MP Prahlad Joshi and some BJP workers. He drove straight to Gokul Garden to attend the marriage ceremony.

CM, Yeddy differ on bypoll campaign
Former chief minister B S Yeddyurappa and his supporters would campaign for Gadilingappa, the BJP candidate contesting the Bellary Rural bypoll, Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda said on Sunday, reports DHNS from Bangalore.

Reacting to reports that Yeddyurappa had decided to stay away from campaigning, Gowda said: “Yeddyurappa himself told me that he was interested in campaigning and would stay put in Bellary for a week”.

Gowda said the State BJP would hold a strategy session in Bangalore on November 18 to work out the campaign details. However, speaking to reporters in Hubli, Yeddyurappa said he would not be able to campaign for the BJP candidate in the bypoll due to some ‘unavoidable’ reasons.

All the ministers, including Chief Minister Sadananda Gowda, would campaign and ensure that the BJP candidate wins the election, he said. He refused to comment on former minister B Sriramulu contesting as an independent in the bypoll after quitting the BJP.