Seeking to put an end to the controversy over a Rs. 1-crore SUV given to him for his travel needs by party colleague Murugesh Nirani, newly appointed BJP State unit president B.S. Yeddyurappa has returned the luxury vehicle to its owner.
Mr. Nirani, who owns a sugar factory, had given the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado, bought in his company’s name, to Mr. Yeddyurappa for his travel needs.
Initially, the plan was to use the vehicle for Mr. Yeddyurappa’s tour to the drought-hit areas. However, this met with public criticism as the idea of travelling by a luxury vehicle to the drought-hit areas, where people are suffering, did not go well with the people and other political parties. Following this, Mr. Yeddyurappa announced on Saturday that he would travel to the drought-hit areas by train and not by the SUV.
However, the criticism from sugarcane farmers still continued as they were upset with Mr. Yeddyurappa getting the luxury vehicle from Mr. Nirani’s company which had defaulted on their payments. Finally, Mr. Yeddyurappa returned the vehicle to Mr. Nirani’s company.
In a statement to the media, Mr. Yeddyurappa said, “In my 40 years of political career, I have travelled to the nook and corner of the State by bus, train and other vehicles. I do not have any need or intention of travelling by any luxury vehicle.”
