Karnataka: KS Eshwarappa stumps BSY, holds meet on drought in Vijayapura

Bengaluru: In what could be seen as a game of one upmanship given their rivalry , senior BJP leader, K.S.Eshwarappa, who has been at loggerheads with BJP state president, B.S.Yeddyurappa, has already met senior officers of Vijayapura in North Karnataka to assess the drought in the district, when the latter is still to set off on his tour of drought- hit districts.

It was soon after Mr. Yeddyurappa announced his tour of drought- hit districts starting Thursday, that Mr. Eshwarappa fixed his three- day tour schedule of Hyderabad-Karnataka starting May 15, according to sources. Being at liberty to go on such a tour in his capacity as Opposition leader in the Legislative Council, he held meetings with the Deputy Commissioner, Chief Executive Officer and development secretaries of Vijayapura on Monday on the spending on drought relief in the district, which is having a worse time than even last year owing to shortage of water and poor rain .

The next two days will see him hold meetings with district officials of Raichuru and Koppal districts as well. Going by his tour schedule, Mr. Eshwarappa is unlikely to accompany Mr Yeddyurappa and other party leaders on their visit to drought hit- districts of both Hyderabad and Mumbai Karnataka, say sources.