Need not work with 'corrupt people' any more: Renukacharya

Former minister M P Renukacharya said on Wednesday that this was the happiest day in his life as the BJP had expelled him.

He said being expelled from the party did not make him sad as all these days, he had to work with the corrupt leaders in the party. Renukacharya reiterated that he had documents to prove that he had bribed D V Sadananda Gowda, during the latter’s tenure as chief minister, and that he would release them soon.  

Responding to Gowda’s statement that he had no faith in God and the practice of swearing, the former minister recalled that before taking over as chief minister, Gowda had been to Tirupati with his predecessor B S Yeddyurappa, where he took a vow to be with him (Yeddyurappa) forever.

He had also sworn before God in Yeddyurappa’s house that he would quit as chief minister, once Yeddyurappa is free of the charges against him.

He hit back at Gowda for talking about his personal life, saying that he too had records about the latter’s private life.

Renukacharya also came down heavily on State BJP president Pralhad Joshi, Deputy Chief Minister K S Eshwarappa, BJP National General Secretary Ananth Kumar and Santosh of the RSS. Describing Eshwarappa and Santosh as corrupt, Renukacharya said it was Eshwarappa who triggered dissidence in the party, by sending him and Belur Gopalakrishna to a resort in Hyderabad.

However, he said he had great respect for Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar.

Bellad to retire from politics

Chandrakanth Bellad, BJP MLA from Hubli-Dharwad, said he would retire from politics, upset over recent political developments, reports DHNS from Hubli.

He said he would involve himself in more social work.

The 75-year-old Bellad has been in politics for the last 30 years, had identified with KJP president Yeddyurappa in recent times. He has not been in touch with either Pralhad Joshi or Jagadish Shettar. He had reportedly sought BJP ticket for his son, Aravind. Local BJP leaders had pressured the party higher-ups not to give ticket to either the father or son.