Former chief minister B S Yeddyurappa has invited people of Shikaripur, his Assembly constituency, to take part in a convention that will mark the launch of his new party, at Haveri on December 10.

Speaking to reporters on Thursday, he said, “December 10 will be a historic day in my political career. So, I want you to be part of that moment. State JD(S) president H D Kumaraswamy had cheated me by not handing over power as per the agreement in the past.

Now, my own party leaders filed false corruption cases against me and succeeded in unseating me from the chief minister’s post. It is ironical that BJP chief Nitin Gadkari is also facing corruption charges now.”

Yeddyurappa said he had collected the opinion of leaders in all districts of the State and they were also in favour of a new party. As many as five lakh to six lakh followers are expected to take part in the convention.

He claimed that he was the first to launch a movement in favour of bagair hukum cultivators in the State.