BENGALURU: Former chief minister and party veteran BS Yediyurappa on Friday said BJP will return to power in Karnataka next year under the leadership of chief minister Basavaraj Bommai and asked opposition leader Siddaramaiah of Congress to stop dreaming of becoming CM again.
“It is apparent from recent election results that Congress does not have leadership in the country. You [Congress] don’t have an address at all. . . The same situation will happen in the state polls next year. It will be a step towards achieving ‘Congress Mukt Bharat’,” Yediyurappa said during the discussion on the state budget in the assembly on Friday. Yediyurappa said it is “certain” BJP will win 135-140 seats. “We will continue to occupy the treasury benches, and you all [Siddaramaiah and Congress] will be in the opposition. Be mentally prepared for it,” he said.
The spat erupted after Siddaramaiah said Yediyurappa was “unceremoniously” removed by the BJP leadership and he [Yediyurappa] is aspir- ing to become CM again. Yediyurappa replied: “You say I was removed from the CM’s post, but people of the state know that I resigned voluntarily and made Basavaraj Bommai the chief minister. ” He added: “I never said I will become CM again. There is no question of [aspiring for] for the post again. Your party is just about breathing now, but people in the state are ready to answer in 2023. ” To this, Siddaramaiah replied saying the BJP veteran was speaking out of the pain of being forcibly removed and reminded him that he shed tears while stepping down.
“People have already decided to throw BJP out and bring Congress back,” Siddaramaiah said. “It was decided at the time when you [Yediyurappa] were ousted. BJP has retained power where it was in power [in four states]. How many [seats] did you win in Punjab? Just two. ”
He said the situation in Karnataka is different from other states. “We understand the pulse of the people. You [Yediyurappa] will not become CM anyway. ” Intervening, Bommai said anti-incumbency is a major factor during elections but BJP has repeatedly proved that it can fight it.
“BJP has [Prime Minister] Modi’s charisma, Yediyurappa’s leadership, and our government’s programmes. It will ensure the blessings of the people too,” he said. Not to be left out, Bandeppa Kashempur, JD(S) deputy leader, chipped in saying his party too was working towards coming to power independently and having its own chief minister.
