Kumaraswamy betrayed Kannada culture: Yediyurappa

Gulbarga, Oct 17 (UNI) Former Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy not only betrayed the BJP but also the Kannada culture, former Deputy Chief Minister B S Yadiyurappaa today alleged.

Addressing a huge public meeting here today as part of BJP's 'Dharma Yatra' launched to explain Mr Kumaraswamy betrayal, Mr Yediyurappa alleged the former Chief Minister betrayed Kannada culture by not handing over power to the BJP..

Mr Yediyurappa said he believed Mr Kumaraswamy would hand over power to the BJP as he had announced openly in Belgaum in his and Mr M P Prakash's presence that he would hand over power to the BJP.

Mr Kumaraswamy also made a similar announcement in the presence of several heads of mutt.

Mr Yediyurppa also recalled Mr Kumaraswamy agreed to hand over power to the BJP on October three in the presence of BJP stalwarts Mr A B Vajpayee, Mr L K Aadvani and Ms Sushma Swaraj.

Criticising the JD(S) for the political turmoil in the state, Mr Yediyurappa said instead of handing over power, the JD(S) was saying nothing though BJP was capable of becoming the Chief Minister.

Speaking of his tenure as Finance Minister, Mr Yediyurappa said he went ahead and banned lorry and arrack disregarding huge loss to the exchequer and implemented V Pay Commission recommendations costing Rs 6,500 crore.

''Despite this, I proposed the budget without much deficit. Even the Reserve Bank of India and the Centre had lauded my work,'' Mr Yediyurppa said.

The BJP leader appealed the people to teach a lesson to the JD(S) in the next election by voting for the BJP. Earlier, large number of BJP activists took out a huge procession.

UNI