BJP State president B.S.Yeddyurappa had breakfast at an autorickshaw driver’s house in the Dalit colony of Tattekere near Hassan on Friday. The programme was organised as part of Mr. Yeddyurappa’s tour across the State.
Driver Prakash and his wife Rukmini served akki rotti and upma. Prakash told The Hindu , “I voluntarily offered to arrange breakfast for the former Chief Minister. My wife had prepared ragi rotti, akki rotti and upma, which we normally have for breakfast. Yeddyurappa had akki rotti and upma”. Prakash identified himself as a common man with no political affiliations. Mr. Yeddyurappa was accompanied by MLA C.T. Ravi and others.
Mr. Yeddyurappa, addressing the villagers, said during his rule in the State he had launched many schemes for the benefit of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. The Narendra Modi-led Central government was also working for the welfare of weaker sections. “It is the Congress which worked to defeat Dr. B.R.Ambedkar in an election. Only after Modi government came to power did the Central government develop the places associated with the life of Ambedkar”, he said.
Earlier, as the BJP leaders entered the village, a few pro-Dalit leaders showed black flags. Opposing the BJP leader’s programme of having meals in Dalit colonies, the protesters raised slogans against Mr. Yeddyurappa and termed the programme a political gimmick.