Bagalkot: Admitting that the Central Government should have announced the repealing of three farm laws earlier itself, Former Chief Minister, B. S. Yediyurappa said that the decision came a little late.
Addressing presspersons on Saturday November 20, he however defended the decision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi by saying that Modi did not make it a prestige issue. “Modi has done a great job which is being welcomed by the nation. I appeal to the opposition to stop criticising Modi. He has taken the decision in the interest of the farmers who were opposing the laws for nearly one year,” he said.
With regard to standing crops such as Paddy, Ragi and other crops getting damaged extensively due to untimely rains in the State, he said that the Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai has already held meetings with the Deputy Commissioners of respective districts on the issue. He said that the CM has already directed the officials to prepare the list of damage and send it to the Government. “I will appeal to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi to send an expert team from Delhi to assess the loss.”
Referring to the coming MLC polls, he said that already the party High Command has issued the list of candidates contesting from BJP. Stating that the BJP has no majority in the Council, he said that the party will gain it if it wins at least 12 seats. “We will be contesting in 20 places and I am confident of getting a majority in the council also after the polls,” he said.
On the party giving ticket to P. G. Pujar to contest in MLC election from Vijayapura-Bagalkot Local Body Constituency, he said that the party has tried to give justice to him by offering ticket as he is a loyal party worker.
With regard to the party’s Jan Swaraj Yatra campaign, he said that the party leaders are holding campaigns by forming various teams.
He said that after the end of the campaign, he will start a State-wide tour to strengthen the party. “I will spend one day in each district to prepare the party for the coming assembly election,” he said.
When asked whether he will contest in the next assembly polls, Yediyurappa said that the decision will be taken by the party high command whether to field him or not. “As of now, I have resigned for the post of Chief Minister. I have no desire to get any post in the government. I am only focusing on strengthening the party for its victory in the next assembly polls,” he said.
With regard to the alleged Bitcoin scam, Yediyurappa advocated the need for the detailed investigation to unearth the truth. “All those involved in any illegality should be punished. Even the CM has already said this,” he added.
Replying to the allegations of the Congress that CM Bommai and State President Nalin Kumar Kateel are also involved in the scam, Yediyurappa said that the Congress is making baseless allegations.
