Yeddyurappa said as chief minister he gave Bellary three ministers (Reddy brothers and Sreeramulu) from the district. "I was the only chief minister to have given Bellary three ministers from the district," he said at Cowl Bazar.

BJP would take strict action against those BJP legislators who were campaigning for Sreeramulu in the bypoll, Yeddyurappa said. "A lesson will be taught to those supporting Sreeramulu," he added.

Yeddyurappa said he was confident of party candidate Gadi Linganappa winning the bypoll, which he considered as crucial for both the party and the government.

"People in Bellary have seen our development works across the state and they are with us. I am confident that Gadi Lingappa will win the bypoll," he said.

Hitting back at Yeddyurappa while campaigning at Honalli Tanda, Sreeramulu said he and Reddy brothers', in fact, were instrumental in making the BJP leader chief minister.

"With Reddy brothers' support Yeddyurappa became chief minister ... also he has taken help from us whenever required," he said.

Complaint to EC

Yeddyurappa criticised the procession by supporters of Sriramulu coming face to face with the BJP road show, saying this had created a fear situation. A clash could have led to disastrous consequences, the former chief minister said.

Addressing a public meeting near Belagal Cross, after the road show, he said that giving permission to a procession while another was being taken out was not acceptable and that he would file a complaint with the Election Commission in this regard. “Some people, who had created a fear psychosis in Bellary, are now threatening people not to vote for the BJP.

The poll panel, the deputy commissioner and the police should take action,” he said. Some forces were trying to prevent people from voting on the election day, he claimed.

The development in the last three-and-half years was because of the BJP government and not due to individual efforts, the former chief minister said. Sadananda Gowda said Sriramulu had forced the bypoll and that he had shown disrespect to the people of Bellary.