Most Yeddyurappa loyalists won't quit BJP: Eshwarappa

Bangalore, Nov 20: Deputy Chief Minister KS Eshwarappa is confident that most of the ministers who are purportedly loyal to BS Yeddyurappa would not leave the

to join the

Janata Party (KJP) in Dec.

Interacting with newspersons in Bellary yesterday, Eshwarappa said, "I don't see great number of BJP legislators or MPs joining KJP. Only a handful of them might go. This any way won't affect functioning of the government."

Yeddyurappa is expected to launch his new party at a rally in Haveri on Dec 9. Incidentally, the Winter Session of the Karnataka Assembly is to be held at Belgaum from Dec 5 to 12.

On the plans of some Yeddyurappa loyalists to quit the BJP, Eshwarappa stressed that there is no compulsion on them to remain in the ruling party.

When asked about Yeddyurappa expressing unhappiness over not being sent an official invitation for the inauguration of development works in Shimoga, Eshwarappa replied that the Shikaripura MLA has apparently forgotten that he is no longer the chief minister of the state.

Eshwarappa said that thousands of BJP supporters were hurt by Yeddyurappa's recent statement against veteran party leader LK Advani.

Reports had quoted Yeddyurappa as saying "down down Advani" at a public meeting in Honnali on Nov 17. However, he claimed yesterday that "it was a slip of the tongue."

Stating that former prime minister Atal Behari Vajpayee and Advani were like his "two eyes", Yeddyurappa admitted that he should not have made the remark against Advani.

"It is a big mistake and I regret for it. I am against Ananth Kumar as he was responsible for my down fall by badmouthing me to Advani. Accidentally, Advani's name was spelt along while raising anti-Kumar slogans. I apologise for it," he said.

Yeddyurappa alleged that Ananth Kumar not only sold the Hotel Ashok here for Rs 1,000 crore, he was also involved in the HUDCO scam.

OneIndia News