Pics: Umesh Marpalli

Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SP)

Udupi, Apr 24: "BJP is a party which lays emphasis on discipline. None of our leaders are conspiring against one another. As already announced by national president of
our party, Amit Shah, Yeddyurappa will be out next chief ministerial candidate. There is no question of looking for any alternative to him," clarified leader of the
opposition in the legislative council, K S Eshwarappa.

When speaking to media persons during his visit to Srikrishna Math here on Sunday April 23, Eshwarappa concurred that there are some contentious issues within the party but exuded confidence about holding discussions and sorting out the misunderstandings. "Amit Shah had asked Yeddyurappa to solve the issue of differences in the state, and the latter has not been attaching enough importance to this issue. At the same time, I have clearance from the party to go ahead with the activities connected with Sangolli Rayanna Brigade," he claimed.

About the arrogant response of district in-charge minister of Belagavi, Ramesh Jarkiholi, on the issue of a girl having fallen into an abandoned borewell there, Eshwarappa said that all the ministers in the current government have been known for arrogant responses. He pointed out that the chief minister of Karnataka himself publicly gives dressing down to superintendent of police. He also alleged that ministers have been extending tacit support to irregularities in the state including assault on deputy commissioner and assistant commissioner of this district.

Eshwarappa felt that Siddaramaiah's claim about himself being the next chief minister of the state as a statement that smacks of egotism. He recalled that in-charge of Congress affairs in the state, Digvijay Singh, had said that the party will fight the assembly election under Siddaramaiah and that the next chief minister will be decided in the coming days.

About his party's debacle in Gundlupet and Nanjangud bypolls, Eshwarappa said it was the verdict of the people and he respects it. "All of us put in 100 percent efforts to ensure that our party wins. We are analyzing reasons for this defeat. There are some differences over appointment of district presidents, and dialogue process is on to find a solution," he stated.