KSE warns of stern action against anti-party activities

 Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP’s) Karntaka president K S Eshwarappa on Sunday warned that the party will not tolerate any attempts to damaging its image or structure, sending an oblique warning to disgruntled leader B S Yeddyurappa, from whom murmurs of breaking away to form his own party have emerged.

Eshwarappa said no one could divide the BJP, or would the party tolerate any efforts to damage it. Lakhs of workers had toiled to build the party, he said, asking party leaders to understand the circumstances - Assembly elections are fast approaching in Karnataka. He spoke at a BJP convention for scheduled castes and scheduled tribes.

After being replaced as chief minister and subsequently sidelined, Yeddyurappa has publicly made clear his displeasure towards the party’s top leadership, including national president Nitin Gadkari, Ananth Kumar and Eshwarappa. He also dropped hints of dividing the party if he was not made Karnataka BJP president, kicking off a cold war with Eshwarappa.

Eshwarappa said: “I know he (Yeddyurappa) spoke against us. I always consider his statements as a blessing. I also appeal him not to resort to any move that would damage the party.”

On Cauvery

On releasing Cauvery river water to Tamil Nadu, Eshwarappa alleged that the Congress party was trying to fish in troubled waters. He did not appreciate their recent change of stance, after initially supporting the BJP.

“Opposition leader Siddaramaiah and KPCC (Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee) chief Parameshwar had welcomed the State’s decision to walk out of the CRA (Cauvery River Authority) meeting. But today they have changed their stand. It is not proper to politicise such issues,” he added.

Katta sheds tears

Earlier, former minister and land scandal-tainted Katta Subramanya Naidu became emotional while speaking at the BJP convention. He said it was unfair for him to have been removed from office simply because he was facing corruption charges.

 “I have worked for the party for 25 years. Just because I am facing some allegation, I have been neglected in the party,” he said. He believed some leaders in the party conspired against him.