Kalaburagi: Denying that he had been served notice by the party for backing the Sangolli Rayanna Brigade, seen as a parallel power centre, senior BJP leader, K S Eshwarappa asserted on Tuesday that he would not be cowed down by threats.
"I have met our national president, Amit Shah and explained to him the objective of the brigade and have invited PM Narendra Modi for its mega event at Kudalasangama on January 26. So the question of stopping the activities of the brigade does not arise," he asserted.
Addressing his supporters, he said the brigade had been formed to work for the welfare of Dalits and backward classes. "Even six decades after Independence, 70 per cent people don't have political freedom. The brigade will exist till these sections get their due," he declared.
Explaining that the brigade had changed its objective to bring the party back to power and make its chief, B S Yeddyurappa the next CM, he reminded reporters that the latter had himself said he did not need its support as he had the people's backing. "Moreover, the mathadhipathis have advised me not to support to any party," he added.
