The former Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa on Friday opened his Public Contact Office on the premises of the BJP's old office on 17th Cross, Malleswaram, here.
According to sources in the BJP, Mr. Yeddyurappa opted for a new office here as the place is considered lucky for the occupant. Mr. Yeddyurappa conducted religious ceremonies in the office, attended by his followers.
The attendees included Cabinet Ministers, Umesh Katti, Shobha Karandlaje, V. Somanna, C.M. Udasi, Basavaraj Bommai, legislators Suresh Gowda, C.C. Patil, Sashil Namoshi, B.P. Harish, S.R. Vishwanath.
It is significant that barring the photo of the former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, no other BJP's leaders' photos were visible in the office. A Dalit leader from the Mysore region Siddaiah inaugurated the office.
After deciding to vacate his residence on Race Course Road, where he lived as Opposition Leader, Deputy Chief Minister and the Chief Minister for eight years, he was searching for a place to meet people coming to seek his help.
“I will be available to people for four hours a day here, during my stay in Bangalore. This office will serve the people irrespective of their party affiliation,” he said.
However, the former Chief Minister refused to attach any political significance to his decision.
“I have decided to open the office to meet the public, as it would be difficult to have a space in the BJP headquarters for myself, in the absence of a responsible position in the party,” he added.
People from all walks of life could meet him and he would take up their issues with the Chief Minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda and the Ministers concerned, he said.
He denied that the new office would become a parallel power centre.
His role would be to act as a mediator between the Vidhana Soudha and “Krishna” (official residence of the Chief Minister) and the people. “In fact, I do not want to topple the Government,” he maintained.
Published - May 19, 2012 09:17 am IST
