Minister skips meet

Eshwarappa, who is said to have serious differences with Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa, attended a mass marriage programme organised by his followers to mark his birthday in the city on Sunday.

Speaking to reporters on the occasion, he said that “the mass marriage programme was planned much before the Vikasa Sankalpa Utsav and I was committed to attend the former. However I have asked permission from State BJP Chief Sadananda Gowda to remain off the Vikasa Sankalpa Utsav.”