BJP’s other backward class morcha rally turned out to be a show of unity of leaders in Bidar on Wednesday.
The rally, that attracted thousands of workers and sympathizers to Ganesh Maidan, witnessed scenes of senior leaders holding hands, smiling for cameras and making speeches against the ruling Congress.
BJP’s senior leaders, former CM B.S. Yeddyurappa and former Deputy CM K. S Eshwarappa, who were both criticising each other a few weeks ago, displayed a rare bonhomie. Both praised each other and criticised Chief Minister Siddharamaiah’s government of failing on all fronts. MLC Tara Anuradha said that there were no differences among the two leaders and that the Congress and JDS were unsuccessfully trying to spread such rumours. He described the duo as brothers who were very close to each other.
Mr. Eshwarappa, who founded the Sangolli Rayanna Brigade to “demonstrate the politics of self respect of OBCs,” criticised Mr. Siddharamaiah of ‘coming to power in the name of OBC welfare, but failing to do anything for them.’
Mr. Siddharamaiah has submitted so many budgets after coming to power. But none of them have had anything for the OBCs, Mr. Eshwarappa said. “Mr. Yeddyurappa is a tall leader. People are hailing him as the next CM. But even Congress leaders are not accepting Mr. Siddharamaiah as their CM,” he said.
Mr. Yeddyurappa vowed not to celebrate his birthdays publicly till he brought back the BJP to power in the state. “I will participate in a lake dredging programme after visiting the Siddhaganga Math in Tumkur, on February 27,” he said. He said he would quit politics if it was proved that his allegations of corruption against Mr. Siddharamaiah turned out to be false. He chided the CM for saying he would waive off half the quantum of farm loans if the centre waived off the half. “When I was CM, I waived off farm loans twice, without waiting for the union government to act,” he said. He said Mr. Siddharamaiah had betrayed the people of the State and the OBCs in particular. The CM announced an outlay of Rs 22,000 crore for social welfare department, but released only Rs 9,000 crore. Of this, only Rs. 6,000 crore has been spent till now, Mr. Yeddyurappa said.
Leaders like B. J Puttaswamy, Aravind Limbavali and others were present.
