I will not be hoodwinked by BJP central leaders again: Yeddyurappa

Accusing the Bharatiya Janata Party central leadership of “hoodwinking” him to step down as Chief Minister, party rebel leader B.S. Yeddyurappa on Tuesday declared that there was “no question” of him playing into their hands again by staying in the party.

Speaking to presspersons at the office of the Karnataka Janata Paksha (KJP), which he is to join on December 9, Mr. Yeddyurappa said he had made a mistake of obeying the party central leaders’ instructions to step down as Chief Minister following his indictment in the Lokayukta report on illegal mining.

He said he need not have quit as the Lokayukta report had not “recommended” his resignation. Similarly, none of the courts had directed him to quit, he said.

“While quitting, I should have dissolved the Assembly,” Mr. Yeddyurappa said.

His second mistake, he said, was going back on his decision to form a new party even after setting the stage for it at a huge convention of his supporters in Hubli after stepping down as Chief Minister. “I cancelled my decision to form a new party as just before the convention, BJP central leaders contacted me and made all kinds of promises (of giving positions),” he said. “I will not commit another mistake by remaining in the BJP.”

He said he would quit his Assembly seat and the BJP primary membership by the end of November. However, he said he would not “destabilise” the Jagadish Shettar government.

Mr. Yeddyurappa admitted that he had held consultations with party national general secretary Arun Jaitley a few days ago.

Issues challenge

Continuing his tirade against party national general secretary Ananth Kumar, Mr. Yeddyurappa challenged him to bring the party to power again in the State. “Now that I am leaving the party, let him fight and become Chief Minister,” Mr. Yeddyurappa said.

The former MLA and Janata Dal (U) leader J.C. Madhuswamy indicated that he may join the KJP. Mr. Madhuswamy said he had already held consultations with Mr. Yeddyurappa.