After coming under severe public criticism, BJP State president B.S. Yeddyurappa has decided against using the Rs. 1-crore luxury SUV, given by industrialist-cum-party colleague Murugesh Nirani, for his tour of drought-hit areas.
Mr. Yeddyurappa told reporters here on Saturday that he would travel by train to the drought-hit areas and not by the luxury car. He will be visiting the districts of Bidar, Kalaburagi, Yadgir, Raichur, and Vijayapura from April 27 to May 1. It was announced on Friday that Mr. Yeddyurappa would use the SUV for the visit. The former Chief Minister had defended Mr. Nirani giving the luxury vehicle to him for a comfortable travel.
While this had come under criticism from the public and the ruling Congress, BJP leaders are of the view that there is a possibility of the party central leadership too having advised him against using the luxury car for the tour of the affected area.
Making it clear that the car was “not a gift”, Mr. Yeddyurappa said he would return the car in due course.
Mr. Yeddyurappa’s plan to use the luxury car for touring the drought-hit areas had even embarrassed BJP leaders as they were worried that such a luxury would not go well with the plight of the affected people.
