Yeddy takes charge as state BJP chief, sets 150 seat target  

Yeddy takes charge as state BJP chief, sets 150 seat target  

PTIUpdated: Friday, May 31, 2019, 04:20 PM IST
article-image

Bengaluru: Former Karnataka chief minister B S Yeddyurappa today assumed charge as state BJP President and set an ambitious target of having an absolute majority by winning 150 seats in the 224-member House in the 2018 Assembly polls.

Taking over the mantle of Presidentship for the fourth time, he termed the Congress a “sinking ship” and asked his party men to work hard to realise Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s dream of “Congress-free India” by achieving the goal of “Congress-free Karnataka”.

“I assure you, I have no personal matters here on…I will not let you sit silent, we all party workers have to put in our best efforts. At present we have 47 MLAs, we have to make it 150,” Yeddyurappa, known for his combative style of leadership, said.

Speaking at a party event organised to commemorate 125th birth anniversary of B R Ambedkar after assuming charge, he said in nine districts, BJP has no prominence, in 13 districts it has one MLA and in Bengaluru and Belagavi 21 MLAs.

“Think about it, where we are and where we have to reach…,” said Yeddyurappa, who was largely credited for having brought BJP to power in 2008, the party’s first government in the South.

The Lingayat strongman, whose appointment was announced by the party leadership on April 8, took charge from Prahlad Joshi, a Lok Sabha member, in the presence of Union ministers Ananth Kumar and Siddeshwar, party’s state in charge Muralidhar Rao, Opposition Leader Jagadish Shettar and other state leaders.

Yeddyurappa alleged that Sangh Parivar workers were being killed in Kerala and said, “There is not even a single MLA but despite all this, best efforts are being put in to strengthen the organisation. We will have to take Kerala as an example.”

“There is no Kerala-like situation in any of our districts. If we make up our mind and put in efforts and work together we can reach our goal,” he added. Yeddyurappa was forced to resign as Chief Minister in  2011 over graft charges, following which he quit the party to form his own outfit, Karnataka Janata Party, which failed to make a mark except to cause damage to BJP in 2013 polls.

He returned to BJP following the announcement of Modi as party’s prime ministerial candidate ahead of 2014 Lok Sabha polls.

Yeddyurappa announced that BJP would contest all 224 assembly seats and said, “There is not much time…Under collective leadership we will work in unity to strengthen the party.”

While listing the “failures” of Siddaramaiah-led Congress government, he said, “We will have to make people aware of achievements and programmes of the central government.”

RECENT STORIES

Don-Turned-Politician Mukhtar Ansari's 'Hummer' Wish That Remained Unfulfilled

Don-Turned-Politician Mukhtar Ansari's 'Hummer' Wish That Remained Unfulfilled

Amit Shah's Convoy Rammed By Speeding Car In Delhi's Kemal Ataturk Marg; 1 CRPF Constable Severely...

Amit Shah's Convoy Rammed By Speeding Car In Delhi's Kemal Ataturk Marg; 1 CRPF Constable Severely...

Who Is DSP Shailendra Singh? All About Ex-Cop Who Fought Against Mulayam Govt To Invoke POTA Against...

Who Is DSP Shailendra Singh? All About Ex-Cop Who Fought Against Mulayam Govt To Invoke POTA Against...

Artificial Intelligence Should Not Be Seen As Magic Tool: PM Modi In Interaction With Bill Gates

Artificial Intelligence Should Not Be Seen As Magic Tool: PM Modi In Interaction With Bill Gates

Haryana Shocker: Elderly Man's Intestine Bulges Out After Being Stabbed In Stomach

Haryana Shocker: Elderly Man's Intestine Bulges Out After Being Stabbed In Stomach