Yatnal also suggested that the next Chief Minister of the state will be a leader from North Karnataka.
Karnataka BJP leader Basanagouda Yatnal generated controversy on Tuesday when he suggested that the BJP high command is seeking to replace Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa in the near future. He also suggested that the next Chief Minister of the state will be a leader from North Karnataka.
“We got a grant of Rs 125 crore and there was a dispute between us and the Chief Minister. He does everything for Shivamogga. He will finish it in some time. His time has also come (which implies that it is time for Yediyurappa to resign). If we had those 125 crore rupees, we could have finalized all the roads in Bijapur. But we don’t have it. I’ll get it somehow. Umesh Katti has made a statement asking if he’s the Chief Minister of Shivamogga or the Chief Minister of Karnataka. those above him have finished with him, Yatnal said.
“It has become CM because of the votes of the people from North Karnataka. Do people vote for us in Mandya, Chamarajanagara or Kolar? North Karnataka voted for our MLAs. Most of the MLAs are from North Karnataka.” added.
Yatnal had previously asked Yediyurappa to resolve the regional imbalance in the Karnataka cabinet. He is also known for making controversial statements and was in the news earlier this year for calling the centennial freedom fighter and activist from Karnataka – HS Doreswamy a ‘Pakistani agent’.
In June, a luncheon hosted by BJP leader Umesh Katti, in which Yatnal and other high-ranking leaders from northern Karnataka participated, led to talk of dissent within the BJP. Yediyurappa had ignored reports from the meeting that indicated that he was too busy with work.
Although Yatnal is known for making controversial comments, sources told TNM that Yediyurappa is under increased pressure after Power TV, a private Kannada television channel, aired a series of programs in September broadcasting the audio of a sting operation allegedly made to a member of the Chief. Minister’s family. In its programs, Power TV alleged corruption, a claim that was later highlighted by the Karnataka unit of Congress. There are whispers within the party that he should be replaced by a younger Lingayat leader.
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