Yeddyurappa demands CM's apology for 'defaming' Modi

BJP national vice-president and former chief minister B S Yeddyurappa on Saturday said Chief Minister Siddaramaiah should apologise to the people, who have enormously supported Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the general elections, for speaking in a derogatory way on Gandhi Jayanthi. 

He was speaking at the second phase of the Raitha Chaithanya Yatre, being held by the BJP to instill confidence among the farmers and demand action from the State government to solve the problems which are driving the farmers to commit suicide.

Siddaramaiah had said that it was unfortunate that Modi had been born in the land of Mahatma Gandhi.

“Siddaramaiah’s statement against Modi, who has made the world to look at India with reverence, shows his narrow-mindedness. Sacrificing the interest of the people of Karnataka, Siddaramaiah is busy pooling funds for the Congress in the Bihar Assembly election. People understand the motive behind the frequent visits of the CM to Delhi to meet the high command,” he said.

He warned that if the State government does not waive the interest (‘Baddi’ in Kannada) on the loan availed by the farmers in cooperative societies and banks, people would be forced to march towards the Vidhana Soudha, armed with sticks (‘Badige’ in Kannada).
Former minister Sriramulu said Siddaramaiah has caused a divide among the people of North Karnataka by raking up the IIT issue.

“If the CM wanted IIT for Raichur, why did he recommend the names of Dharwad and Mysuru in the first place? In other states, the Centre has not been given any choice, the governments have finalised the places identified for IITs. If Siddaramaiah ridicules Modi, it only shows to which class the CM belongs to. The world has acknowledged that Modi is only next to US President Barack Obama among world leaders,” he said.

Former Minister Shobha Karandlaje said even government projects are suffering due to scarcity of sand as the ministers in Siddaramaiah’s Cabinet are controlling the sand mafia in the State.