Not just BS Yeddyurappa, united leadership to face state polls: Muralidhar Rao
Belagavi: Contrary to BJP president Amit Shah's recent claims that the party will face coming elections under B.S. Yeddyurappa's leadership, party national general secretary Muralidhar Rao announced in Belagavi on Saturday that his party will face elections under party's “united leadership”. During his last visit to the state, Mr Shah had also said that Mr Yeddyurappa was party’s chief ministerial candidate.
Mr Rao told the media here on Saturday that his party was prepared for next year's Assembly polls. "The BJP has been able to make most of the states Congress-free ever since it came to power in 2014. The same way, Karnataka too will be made Congress-mukt soon. The 'Parivartana Rally' under Mr Yeddyurappa's leadership is going on successfully with mission-150 being its aim in the state. None of the leaders from the Opposition have Mr Yeddyurappa's calibre and can take out such a rally. It came to light during the yatra that people trust Mr Modi's governance and BJP,'' he added.
After the BJP's victory in Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat, where the results will be announced on Dec. 18, the party will focus fully on Karnataka, he said, and adding that Mr Modi will deliver a historic speech to mark the end of 'Parivartana Rally'.
Criticising Chief Minister Siddaramaiah for celebrating Tipu Sultan's birth anniversary, Mr Rao described Mr Siddaramaiah as anti-Hindu. He said that the state government is not serious about continuing farmer suicides and crumbling agriculture sector. Several ministers, who face serious charges of corruption, have not been sacked, but are being protected by Siddaramaiah, he said, alleging that the state government is extremely corrupt.
Responding to a question on a video clip that went viral on social media in which a former minister and BJP leader, Mr Umesh Katti, abused BJP leaders, Mr Rao said his party high command will not tolerate any of its leaders using foul language and that action will be taken against those who break party's discipline.
