Siddaramaiah to file defamation case against Yeddyurappa

Bangalore, Feb 1 (PTI) Opposition Congress leader inthe Karnataka assembly Siddaramaiah today said he will file adefamation case against Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa forreportedly naming him among leaders who resorted to blackmagic to ''eliminate'' him.

Describing as ''unfounded'', Yeddyurappa''s reportedremark against him yesterday in Mysore, Siddaramaiah said itwas an attempt to defame him.

"Basically I am an atheist. I visit temples onlyduring elections with a view not to hurt the feelings ofpeople who join me," he told reporters here.

"The chief minister needs counselling. If he thinks hecan gain people''s sympathy through such statements, he willnot succeed," he said.

According to Siddaramaiah, said Yeddyurappa seemed tobe under "political depression" for fear of losing powerbecause cases have already been filed against him.

In controversial remarks, Yeddyurappa had claimedthere was a conspiracy to "eliminate'' him by taking recourseto ''black magic'' after efforts to use it to unseat him frompower failed.

"Those who indulged in black magic to unseat me frompower and failed are involved in it again," Yeddyurappa hadsaid and reportedly named Siddaramaiah among other leaders.