BS Yeddyurappa puts off decision to quit party

Bangalore, May 14: Giving a breather to the

after setting off a fresh crisis that threatened its government's survival in Karnataka, party state strongman BS Yeddyurappa today said he has put on hold his decision to quit the party but showed no let up in his war against Chief Minister

.

Yeddyurappa, who claimed that he still enjoyed the support of more than 70 of the 120 BJP MLAs, however, showed clear signs of defiance attacking Gowda whom he accused of insulting and casting aspersions on him.

"Bowing to pressure of the legislators and following an appeal by senior party leader Arun Jaitley, I have decided to keep in abeyance my decision to quit the party", said Yeddyurappa ending the latest high-voltage political drama in the first BJP government in the south.

Targeting Gowda, whom he had handpicked to succeed him, he said, "Every day the Chief Minister made statements that are in nature to insult my 40 years of public life. He removed some persons whom I had appointed."

Yeddyurappa said Gowda should have resigned for failing to retain the Udupi-Chikmagalur Lok Sabha seat in the bypoll caused by his resignation after becoming Chief Minister.

"I am not aspiring for the Chief Minister or state unit party President post," said Yeddyurappa adding he had not set any condition to the party central leadership while agreeing to temporarily suspend his decision to quit the party.

Yeddyurappa blamed Gowda, party General Secretary HN Ananth kumar, state unit President KS Eshwarappa for the crisis sparked by nine ministers and many MLAs loyal to him handing over their resignations to him.

"I am not responsible for the confusion reigning in the party in the last one week. Sadananda Gowda, Eshwarappa and Ananth kumar are responsible for it," he charged at a crowded press conference here held amid speculation that he would quit the party which he led to power.

PTI