Belagavi: Senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader K.S. Eshwarappa has watered down the objective of his controversial Sangolli Rayanna Brigade from working to bring the BJP back to power in the state, to merely working for the welfare of the Dalits and backward classes.
Speaking to reporters here on Tuesday, Mr Eshwarappa said that the objective of the brigade changed after Bharatiya Janata Party’s state unit president B.S. Yeddyurappa recently declared that its services were not required to bring the BJP to power in Karnataka.
“The focus of the brigade will now remain on working for welfare of the backward classes and dalits. Yeddyurappa is our sole leader and also the party's Chief Ministerial candidate,” he added.
While denying any rift with the former Chief Minister on the formation of his brigade, which he called a “non-political outfit,” Mr Eshwarappa claimed he did not have any objection to it anymore.
“The party’s national leaders are also convinced about the objective of the brigade and do not object to it. I will hold another round of discussion on the outfit with Yeddyurappa soon,” he said.
Announcing that around three lakh people were expected to attend a mega convention of the brigade at Kudalasangama on January 26, Mr Eshwarappa made it clear that it would not be dissolved under any circumstances.
“In merely six months after its launch, the brigade has got tremendous response across the state with noted seers and leaders cutting across party lines supporting it,” he exulted, adding that the outfit would hold conventions in all assembly segments in the state to muster people's support for it in days to come.
