Senior BJP leader Umesh Katti, who is facing his ninth election this May, says he wants to be Chief Minister, but will wait till B.S. Yeddyurappa has had his term.
Mr. Katti, who is known for his demand for statehood for North Karnataka, reiterated his demand on Wednesday too. But said he wants to be the Chief Minister of Akhanda (undivided) Karnataka and not just the hypothetical North Karnataka.
“I am young (for a politician). There is still time for me to take charge of that office. But I am capable and ambitious. I will wait,” said the 57-year-old leader. Mr. Katti became MLA just after his 24th birthday in 1985, after the untimely death of his father and senior Janata Parivar leader Vishwanath Katti. He clarified that he had no immediate ambitions and would want to see Mr. Yeddyurappa become the Chief Minister and rule for full five years.
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He was speaking at the inauguration of “UK-27”, a luxury hotel owned by his family in Belagavi on Wednesday.
He said that he will continue to demand statehood for North Karnataka till the region remains underdeveloped. “There are not enough teachers, or doctors, police or even village accountants. That is why we have remained backward. Till this issue is addressed, I will keep speaking of the need for statehood,” he said.
Those who divided religions will be destroyed. People will defeat Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s party as he is trying to divide Veerashaiva-Lingayat. “We are all one and the attempts to divide us will fail,” he said.
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According to him, Lingayats who form 20 per cent of the State’s population had no right to claim minority status. “That is what I believe. Others, including politicians or religious leaders, may differ,” he said.
He said that the issue had no potential to be a political tool. The issue is the brain child of Mr. Siddaramaiah. It will not benefit the Congress in any way. Lingayats are strong supporters of the BJP and they will continue to be so, he said.