Bengaluru: While Bharatiya Janata Party’ s state unit president B.S. Yeddyurappa has made no secret of his opposition to the Sangolli Rayanna Brigade (SRB) headed by his long standing rival in the party, K S Eshwarappa, the organisation’s office bearers claim its primary objective is to see him become the next Chief Minister of the state.
Addressing a press conference after a meeting of the SRB here on Thursday, office bearers, K. Mukudappa, K. Virupakshappa and Chi.Na. Ramu maintained the Sangolli Rayanna Brigade was not meant to counter or checkmate Mr Yeddyurappa, but to strengthen his hands. In fact, they intended to invite him to inaugurate the SRB’s first mega convention in Haveri on September 26.
“We will request Mr. Yeddyurappa to guide us to take the SRB forward. Our prime moto is to strengthen his hands and the BJP,” they declared, adding that the SRB would act as platform for the backward classes to get actively involved in the party.
“Many leaders from other backward classes are afraid of openly identifying with the Bharatiya Janata Party although it released a thousand crores for the welfare of other backward classes when in power and Rs 90 crore to various mutts headed by pontiffs from other backward classes. It also declared a holiday on Valmiki Jayanti,” Mr. Veerupakshappa said.
Asked about Mr Yeddy-urappa’s opposition to Mr Eshwarappa’s active involvement in the Sangolli Rayanna Brigade, the leaders said they would convince the Lingayat strongman that it was not working against his interests.
Leaders at the meeting, meanwhile, fully supported Mr Eshwarappa in creating an alternative forum to AHINDA, that supports Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. Party insiders reveal most senior leaders, who are angered by Mr Yeddyurappa’s arbitrary decisions are now backing Mr Eshwarappa and his new brigade.
Bharatiya Janata Party national joint secretary, Santhosh and a few local RSS leaders too have reportedly joined them. Defending the formation of the Sangolli Rayanna Brigade, these leaders say it will work as a BSY Brigade or a Namo Brigade in the 2018 Assembly elections.
