Continue to support BJP, ensure its win in Karnataka: Yediyurappa's appeal to Veerashaiva-Lingayats
Bengaluru (PTI): Veteran leader and former Karnataka chief minister B S Yediyurappa on Saturday appealed to the dominant Veerashaiva-Lingayat community, to which he belongs, to continue their support to the ruling BJP in the upcoming Assembly polls, and ensure its victory in the State.
The 79-year-old Lingayat strongman was responding to a question whether the community will continue to support the BJP, even after his retirement from electoral politics.
Yediyurappa said there is no question of him sitting at home and he will tour across the State seeking votes for the party in the Assembly elections.
"I pray to the Veerashaiva-Lingayat community with folded hands, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah have given me all kinds of opportunities so far. I'm voluntarily retiring (from electoral politics) as I will be 80-years of age on February 27," Yediyurappa said.
Speaking to reporters here, he said, "So the Veerashaiva-Lingayat brothers without any misunderstanding, should continue to support me as in the past and make the BJP win. This is my request to them."
This statement has come amid attempts by opposition Congress and JD(S) to project that Yediyurappa is being sidelined by the BJP, and thereby garner the votes of the numerically and politically dominant community in their favour.
Veerashaiva-Lingayats are estimated to form about 17 per cent of the State's population, and they form the BJP's strong vote base.
Yediyurappa is still considered to be the "tallest" Veerashaiva-Lingayat leader and continues to hold sway over the community.
The four-time CM and eight-time MLA from Shikaripura Assembly segment, Yediyurappa on Friday had delivered his farewell speech in the Karnataka Assembly, of which he was a member for decades.
The senior leader, who is now a member of the BJP's top Parliamentary board, today said that he will continue to strive for building and strengthening the party by remaining outside the Assembly, and touring across the State.
"I have the satisfaction and contentment that I have done everything possible for the development of the State. As I have already said in the coming days I will travel across the State to bring BJP back to power, the tour programme will begin in about five to six days. There is no question of sitting at home, hundred per cent BJP will come to power in Karnataka," he said.
Modi and Amit Shah's leadership has given us "elephant's strength", while other parties lack strong leadership, he said, "so, good results are certain for the BJP."
Yediyurappa said Shivamogga airport will be inaugurated by Modi on February 27, and that his long-cherished dream was becoming a reality.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
RSS-BJP's main objective is to finish off Constitution: Rahul Gandhi
_vb_30.jpeg)
New Delhi (PTI): Congress leader Rahul Gandhi launched a scathing attack on the RSS-BJP on Sunday, alleging their main objective is to finish off the Constitution because they don't want that everyone in India is considered an equal.
Gandhi made the remarks before flagging off the 'Run For Ambedkar, Run For Constitution' marathon here, ahead of Ambedkar's birth anniversary on April 14.
"Ambedkar ji's main message was that of the Constitution. Without the Constitution, what we call India would not have been there. Today, the people who are of the mindset of RSS-BJP want to finish off the Constitution. Whatever they say, their main objective is to erase the Constitution because they don't want that everyone in India is considered an equal," Gandhi said addressing the gathering before the start of the marathon from Mandi House.
"Whatever they (RSS-BJP) do, they even bow before Ambedkar ji's statue, but their objective is to finish off the Constitution. Our objective is to protect the Constitution and strengthen the Constitution," the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha said.
"We want that the thought of the Constitution and its protection reaches every corner of the country and that is why we have organised this 'Run for Ambedkar, Run for Constitution'," Gandhi, dressed in a blue T-shirt, said.
Later, in a Facebook post, Gandhi said he flagged off the marathon organised by the Congress' SC Department from Mandi House.
"This run serves as a demonstration of our commitment to the ideals of Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar and to the Constitution of India," Gandhi said.
"Today, when constitutional values are under assault, we must unite and fight against every injustice and act of discrimination with the same resolve as Babasaheb. Jai Bhim, Jai Samvidhan, Jai Hind," he said in his post in Hindi.
The SC and OBC departments of the AICC celebrated the birth anniversary of Jyotiba Rao Phule with an event at Indira Bhawan in Lucknow on Saturday.
Ambedkar Jayanti, celebrated annually on April 14, marks the birth anniversary of BR Ambedkar, the chief architect of the Indian Constitution and a champion of social equality.
Former Indian cricket team captain and Telangana minister Mohammad Azharuddin also participated in the event to flag off the marathon.
Lauding the marathon initiative by the Congress, Azharuddin said, "I would like this campaign to happen all over India because 'Run for Ambedkar, Run for Constitution' is a very good initiative, it should be maintained and promoted further."
He called for unity in the country, asserting that the country can only progress with unity.
_vb_76.jpeg)
_vb_91.jpeg)
_vb_07.jpeg)