Bengaluru: State BJP stalwart and former chief minister BS Yeddyurappa on Wednesday said in his “farewell speech” in the Karnataka Assembly that he would make sincere efforts in this direction till the last breath of his life. Forming a party and bringing it to power. The 79-year-old veteran leader, who has already announced his retirement from electoral politics, said there was no question of him sitting at home and would tour the state after the assembly session and campaign for the party and its candidates.
Intervening during the discussion on the state budget, the four-time CM repeatedly urged the ruling party’s legislators to go before the people with confidence and seek votes and said it was certain that the BJP would return to power with a clear majority. I will come back.
He said, ‘If God gives me strength in the next election also, which is five years after this election, I will make all efforts for the BJP to come to power. As you already know that I have said that I will not contest the election, but the respect given to me by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the party and the position given to me cannot be forgotten in my lifetime.
“Till the last breath of my life I will sincerely try to build BJP and bring it to power, there should be no doubt about it…. I want to tell all my (BJP) MLAs on this side (ruling party) Many people from that side (Opposition) are ready to come with us to work with confidence and prepare for the elections, if you have faith we can take them along and bring BJP to power with a clear majority can be brought back.
Yediyurappa, referring to his last speech in the assembly with the session ending on Friday, said, “This is my farewell in a way, as I cannot come to the assembly and speak after that.”
Speaker Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri and Parliamentary Affairs Minister JC Madhuswamy, however, intervened and said Yediyurappa would make his last address to the House on Friday.
Yeddyurappa announced in July last year that he would not contest the assembly polls, and vacated his Shikaripura assembly seat, from which his younger son and party’s state vice-president B.Y. Vijayendra will contest elections, if the high command agrees.
The veteran leader, who started his electoral politics as ‘Purasabha’ president at Shikaripura in Shivamogga district, was first elected to the assembly from Shikaripura in 1983 and won from there eight times.
“I have heard some speeches criticizing BJP for doing injustice to Yediyurappa and neglecting me. BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have never neglected me, and given the position and respect they have given me I am indebted to Modi, and I can never forget the opportunities and positions given to me.”
He said, as the party gave him the opportunity, he was able to become the chief minister four times. “No one else has ever had the opportunities I’ve had.”
“If anyone is under the illusion that they can silence Yeddyurappa by saying a few things, then there is no question of Yeddyurappa sitting quietly. I want to tell the MLAs of the ruling party that the BJP will once again get a clear majority,” he said. Coming to power with Equally certain is the sun and the moon, and they (Congress) are sitting on that side (Opposition), there should be no doubt, don’t think I am prophesying,” he said.
Yeddyurappa further said that he would visit all the assembly constituencies after this assembly session and in the next two months everyone would see how Karnataka would change and the wind would blow in favor of the BJP. “…the only thing you (ruling party MLAs) have to do is go back to your constituencies after the session, earn the trust of the people, and show them the programs and schemes announced in the budget for their benefit.” to inform about.” He added.
Yeddyurappa resigned from the post of Chief Minister on July 26, 2021. Age was seen as a primary factor in exiting the top job, with the BJP having an unwritten rule to keep people above 75 out of elected offices; The high command also wanted to make way for a new leadership before the assembly elections.
Hitting out at Leader of the Opposition Siddaramaiah, Yediyurappa sought to know what he meant by saying that he would not contest from the Badami seat, where he had won in the last election.
“Does it mean that you (Siddaramaiah) have not done development work in the constituency, or that you lack confidence about winning again? When you are contesting from the constituency despite having worked for the last five years If you don’t have the courage, how will the people of other constituencies trust you and give you a chance?” He asked.
He said, “I am not saying this for criticism. My advice to Siddaramaiah is still that if you want to give back the constituency from where you won and became the leader of the opposition, then you should contest from there. Will happen and will win.” Once again, only then will it make sense. If you contest from some other constituency, the people there will feel that you ran away from the earlier segment and will not trust you.
Siddaramaiah, a former chief minister who currently represents the Badami region in Bagalkot district, has said he will contest from Kolar in the upcoming elections if the Congress leadership agrees. Siddaramaiah was not in the house when Yeddyurappa spoke.
Deputy Leader of the Opposition UT Khadar intervened, saying the leader of the Congress Legislature Party enjoys the trust and popularity of the people and can contest and win from any of the 224 assembly constituencies.
Yediyurappa, during his speech, also advised Chief Minister Bommai to implement the Seventh Pay Commission for state government employees.