Yeddyurappa regrets ‘Operation Lotus’

Karnataka Janata Paksha (KJP) president B.S. Yeddyurappa has expressed regret over resorting to ‘Operation Lotus’ to boost the strength of the Bharatiya Janata Party in the Assembly.

Speaking after launching the labour wing of the KJP here, Mr. Yeddyurappa said he did not form the party “for the sake of power”.

The former Chief Minister said if he was hungry for power, he could have toppled the government as he had the support of a majority of MLAs.

“National political parties do not have any future in the country. I formed the KJP to put an end to their high command culture. The time has come for regional parties to usurp power in States,” Mr. Yeddyurappa said.

He claimed that the BJP government was continuing in power because of his efforts. At the same time, Mr. Yeddyurappa said, he himself had tasted “the fruits of his efforts” too, which came in the form of his ouster from the post of Chief Minister and the days spent in jail. His own party men did not allow him to continue in power, he said.

Stating that the condition of workers, especially those in garment units, had been pathetic because of contract labour, Mr. Yeddyurappa urged them to work together to claim their rights.

Promise

“Only unity of workers could prevent the dilution of labour laws,” he said. Mr. Yeddyurappa promised to appoint KJP vice-president and trade union leader Michael Fernandes the Labour Minister to address the problems being faced by workers.

Mr. Fernandes said Karnataka needed a strong regional party like the KJP. The former Minister Shobha Karandlaje was present. L. Kalappa was appointed the president of the labour wing.