Months of tensions between BJP’s Karnataka President BS Yeddyurappa and former deputy chief minister KS Eshwarappa appears to have escalated to new levels, with the official launch of Sangolli Rayanna Brigade on Tuesday.
With Eshwarappa stating that the upliftment of dalits and people of backward castes were his priority, his decision to launch Rayanna Brigade had ruffled feathers within the party. Yeddyuappa had even issued warning to party members against attending the function held in Nandagad.
“Strict action will be taken against those who take part in the programme,” Yeddyurappa had said on Sunday, maintaining that it was a directive from leaders at the national level.
Ravindra Uppar reports for The Times of India that BJP legislators and office-bearers gave the function a miss, following strict orders from the party leadership.
MLC Somanna Bevinamarad from Haveri and three seers from prominent dalit and OBC mutts attended the event, that was held on the death anniversary of BR Ambedkar.
According to the report:
There were many former ministers, MLAs and MLCs of the BJP on the dais.Sogadu Shivanna of Tumkur and SA Ravindranath of Davanagere, Brigade president K Virupakshappa, Nemiraj Nayak, Jagadish MWWetgud, D Venkatesh Murthy, film producer Anand Appugol, senior Ahinda leader K Mukudappa and around 3,000 volunteers participated in the event.
Speaking at the event, Eshwarappa said that the Brigade will go ahead with its activities and not give up its initiative for the upliftment of Dalits and added that they weren’t against the party or any individual.
The next convention is scheduled to be held on January 26.