Bangalore: No Question of Leaving BJP: Yeddy on Birthday

Bangalore, Feb 27: Former chief minister of Karnataka and senior BJP leader Yeddyurappa, on the occasion of his 70th birthday, put an end to speculations that he might leave the party.
Several programmes were organised to celebrate his birthday in various places. After seeking blessings from Siddalinga Swamy at Tumkur in the morning, Yeddyurappa attended programmes organised by his partymen and supporters.
In his address during a function in Bangalore, he lashed out at the opposition for creating stories about him severing ties with the BJP. He also said, "The media can now keep quiet about the speculation, as I am not going to give you any sweet news as you wish. There is no question of leaving BJP," he announced.
"Opposition parties had predicted that I would keep quiet in my home after resigning from the CM post and then going to jail. But I will not take rest, I will tour the state to strengthen the party, and bring BJP to power during the next elections also. Indeed, the media and the opposition parties were waiting for my decision today to leave the party. But I am sorry to disappoint them."
Interestingly, throughout the speech he recalled his achievements as CM, but never once mentioned about the current CM Sadananda Gowda or his good works.
However, he did take an indirect dig at Sadananda Gowda and the speculation that he has been taking advice from JD(S) chief Deve Gowda.
"I never allowed the father and son duo (Deve Gowda and Kumaraswamy of JD(S)) to enter my Vidhana Soudha office during my tenure, but I know they have started entering it after my resignsation as CM. I would like to send a warning signlal to Deve Gowda and Kumaraswamy that I can play both defence and attack in politics, so do not try to underestimate me. You will never again come to power in Karnataka, the wholeof Karnataka knows about your dirty politics," he thundered.
"I will never to go to New Delhi to beg for CM's post. I expected CM's chair to be given back to me, as the BJP high command had promised me that within 4-6 months of my resignation I would be called back as CM. That's the only reason I was demanding the CM's post again."
He called upon the party supporters to back him even when he is not in power "It is easy to support someone who is in power, but you should support me even when I am not in power."
Also, indirectly hinting that he was backstabbed by those in his party, he asked his supporters to identify honest and dedicated workers in the BJP and support them.
"Beware of the backstabers within the party," he warned.
He also said that Karnataka had never before seen such immense development as during his tenure, and that only during his stint as CM even the poorest or poor benefited from various programmes and schemes undertaken by him.