Karnataka: Yeddyurappa's tour makes Congress jittery

Mysore: Former chief minister B S Yeddyurappa’s visits to drought-hit areas of Mysore and Chamrajanagar districts seems to be more a show of strength than a study tour. The overwhelming response en route to the villages is giving sleepless nights to Congressmen in old Mysore region. The large gatherings will also send a strong message to the BJP high command, which forced Yeddyurappa to step down after cases were filed against him in the Lokayukta court.

Following this, the BJP had lost its popularity in old Mysore region, which has more than 65 Assembly constituencies. The BJP launched tours with different teams headed by former chief minister D V Sadananda Gowda, Deputy Chief Minister K S Eshwarappa and others.

Yeddyurappa and his Cabinet colleagues began their tour from Varuna constituency, the home segment of Leader of Opposition in the Assembly Siddaramaiah. Local BJP leaders all turned up for the public meetings addressed by Yeddyurappa. The meetings also witnessed a big turnout of Dalits and Nayakas, who have the upper hand in Varuna Assembly constituency.

The visits to drought-hit Mysore and Chamrajanagar districts seems to be more a show of strength than a study tour.

Yeddyurappa claimed that the Congress decided to tour the state in four separate teams after he began his tour. He also alleged that Siddaramaiah has failed as an opposition leader and neglected development of the constituency. Yeddyurappa’s proposed two-day tour of Chamrajnagar district covering four Assembly constituencies, is also likely to draw a huge crowd in Veerashaiva-dominated areas.

Meanwhile, Siddaramaiah termed Yeddyurappa’s tour a political gimmick. He said it has given room for confusion as to who is the CM and added that the BJP leader’s tour is unconstitutional.

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