BENGALURU: Wary of an adverse impact on the party ahead of Lok Sabha polls, the state unit of BJP on Saturday issued a gag order to its leaders not to speak in support of the stir for statehood for north Karnataka. Upset with recent statements of leaders, including former ministers B. Sriramulu and Umesh Katti, state unit president B S Yeddyurappa on Saturday warned that central leaders had taken note of such statements and were unhappy with leaders supporting the call for a bandh on August 2.
All leaders were told to speak in one voice about a united Karnataka with no reference to separate statehood for north Karnataka. At the core committee meeting, Mr. Yeddyurappa and other senior leaders expressed displeasure against Mr. Sriramalu and Mr Umesh Katti for supporting separate statehood for north Karnataka.
Speaking to the media later, Mr. Yeddyurappa lambasted Chief Minister H.D.Kumaraswamy: It’s because of an irresponsible statement of Mr. Kumaraswamy, north Karnataka is witnessing unrest. Mr. Kumaraswamy’s intention is to divide and rule. He is trying to differentiate between south and north Karnataka to achieve his selfish goals, ” Mr. Yeddyurappa added.
He said people of north Karnataka expressed their anger against the Chief Minister for his divide and rule policy. Instead of seeking an apology, Mr. Kumaraswamy further instigated the people of north Karnataka to fight for a separate statehood, he added. The former chief minister chided the Congress for indirectly supporting the Chief Minister when he was making irresponsible statement.
