Bangalore: Continuing to mount pressure on the central leadership, BJP Karnataka strongman B S Yeddyurappa on Tuesday said he would wait for a “few more days” on the party’s promise to reinstate him as Chief Minister.
“I will wait for a few more days. Probably Central leadership was busy with Rajya Sabha and Assembly elections in five states. It is all over now. I hope they will take a decision on their promise now,” Yeddyurappa told a press meet here.
Yeddyurappa has on and off been putting pressure on the central leadership to reinstate him as Chief Minister after he was forced to step down in July last following indictment by the Lokayukta report on illegal mining.
“I will not set any deadline. I am confident that my party high command will take a suitable decision at an appropriate time,” Yeddyurappa said. He said the party leaders had promised him that they would reinstate him as Chief Minister after he was cleared of charges in illegal mining cases. On the drought situation in the state, Yeddyurappa, who is touring drought-hit areas on Tuesday, virtually lambasted officials for their apathy in tackling the issue.
“During the last three-and-half years of my rule the state had copious rains and even some North Karnataka areas faced flood situation.But unfortunately this year 123 taluks in 20 districts are reeling under drought condition. The district in-charge secretaries have not visited their respective districts and reviewed drought relief works,” he said. He asked the government to ensure drinking water and fodder in drought prone districts.
To a question on how long he would wait for his party leadership to decide on his political future, Yeddyurappa said, “I will not resort to pressure tactics. It is left to the central leadership to utilise my services. I know the High Command will take a decision.” The former Chief Minister said he wanted to present the state’s 2012-13 budget with Rs one crore outlay, but “due to certain reasons” could not get the opportunity.
“In the last seven months after I quit as Chief Minister, I maintained silence and watched the recent Assembly session as a spectator. Now I have decided to break my silence,” Yeddyurappa said.
The 70-year-old Lingayat strongman had recently staged a show of strength by mobilising about 70 MLAs at a resort before calling a truce at the central leadership’s intervention. He said he would tour the state to strengthen the party and ensure that it returns to power in the next Assembly polls and win 22 to 23 Lok Sabha seats.
Asked whether his tour of drought prone districts was meant to remind his party leadership to reinstate him, he evaded reply. (PTI)