Yeddyurappa hints at quitting BJP by year-end

Former chief minister B S Yeddyurappa on Friday said he was facing a “suffocating environment” in the Bharatiya Janata Party and indicated that he would take a decision on quitting the party by December-end.

“I am facing a suffocating environment in the party. I am waiting for an opportune time to decide on my political future. I will take a decision after completing my second leg of tour in drought-hit districts in the State by December-end,” Yeddyurappa told reporters.

At the same time, he said he did not want to take any decision that would destabilise the State government headed by Jagadish Shettar, whom he installed as the chief minister. Yeddyurappa said he was yet to take a decision on attending the three-day BJP National
Executive in Haryana scheduled to commence on September 26.

The former chief minister said he had toured 20 Assembly constituencies and would complete touring 50 constituencies by October. Yeddyurappa said he did not aspire for any position in the party or that of the State unit president.

“I will not accept the State unit party post even if the party offers it to me. If at all I have to become the chief minister again, it will be with the blessings of the people,” he said.

Yeddyurappa said he would continue to don the role of “an opposition leader” and a ‘leader of the BJP’  if it was in the interest of people. He said his intervention had resulted in the government waiving crop loan and interest to farmers.

He claimed he was also instrumental in breaking the deadlock between the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation unions and the government and also in finding a solution to the garbage imbroglio in Bangalore.

He reiterated that Deputy Chief Minister K S Eshwarappa should quit from the ministry and focus on his responsibilities as the party president.

“Eshwarappa took over as the BJP State unit president in a bid to cleanse the party. I do not think he has been successful in his efforts so far. He should come out of the Cabinet and continue to work for the welfare of the party,” the former chief minister said.

Yeddyurappa was critical of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s decision directing the State to release 9,000 cusec of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu.

Later in the evening, Yeddyurappa remained closeted with some his loyalists at his Dollar’s Colony residence.