B S Yediyurappa carved own path by struggle: Amit Shah

Chitradurga: Terming the day as historical for two reasons, Union Home minister Amit Shah said that the day BJP came to power for the first time in West Bengal, also marks the completion of 50 years of political life of B S Yediyurappa, who brought the party to power in South India for the first time.

Inaugurating the BSY Abhimanotsava organised by state BJP here on Saturday, the home minister said, “The name of Yediyurappa will be written in golden words in the history of BJP as he became the chief minister for four times and also brought the party to power in South India for the first time.”

‘Declined Cabinet berth’

Recalling an incident, Shah said, when Yediyurappa was offered a ministerial berth in the Cabinet headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014, Yediyurappa politely declined and said his first priority is Karnataka and he wants to bring BJP to power in Karnataka.   

Stating that there are two types of leaders in politics, he said one set of leaders take the path that is already there and another set of leaders create their own path and make way for others. Yediyurappa belongs to the second set of leaders.

“With no political background, Yediyurappa started his political journey from Shikaripura and became chief minister of Karnataka four times. His commitment and the values instilled by the RSS helped him climb the ladder of success. He had built the party by touring Karnataka by bicycle,” the home minister said.  

He (BSY) had taken out padayatra across the state for the welfare of farmers and emerged as the leader of farmers. Yediyurappa was imprisoned in Shivamogga and Ballari during the emergency. Yediyurappa has contributed to the party significantly, Shah said.

On the presence of pontiffs and seers of various communities on the stage, Shah said, it shows how Yediyurappa brought people of various communities together through his works.”I salute all seers here.”

Referring to the first farm budget presented by Yediyurpappa, he said not just farmers from Karnataka, even those across the country used to think that there is someone in the country who has concern for them.

 B S Yediyurappa, the BJP parliamentary board member, promised Amit Shah that he would travel across the state to connect with people, strengthen the party and bring it back to power in the state again. 

A huge crowd throngs the venue of the programme organised to mark 50 years of Yediyurappa’s public service.