BJP, not Congress, engaged in infighting, says CM

NT Correspondent Bengaluru: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday hit back at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, alleging that it was the Karnataka BJP, which is beset by infighting and not the Congress. Modi was referring to corruption allegations against Siddaramaiah and there being multiple aspirants for the CM’ post. “Honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi has recklessly claimed there is infighting within Karnataka Congress. It seems the Prime Minister misread the recent media reports and confused the names of the parties, thinking it was Congress when it was actually BJP.

I kindly request him to issue a clarification and correct this misunderstanding,” Siddaramaiah said. “Your party MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal starts his day by accusing Yediyurappa and his family of corruption amounting to thousands of crores. Supporting these claims, other MLAs like Ramesh Jarkiholi and CT Ravi have also made various accusations against Yediyurappa and his children. Recently, ousted BJP leader Eshwarappa held a meeting with dissenting MLAs at his residence. Should we call this infighting, or is it just ‘sweet nothings’?” the CM added. Siddaramaiah pointed out that Lingayat stalwart BS Yediyurappa had had quit the BJP and formed his own party Karnataka Janata Paksha (KJP) in 2012, following which he spoke ill of BJP leaders like Atal Bihari Vajpayee and LK Advani. The CM ascribed this to infighting in the Karnataka BJP. “PM Modi, don’t throw stones while sitting in a glass house.

There’s no need to worry about infighting in our party. Whenever we have come to power, we’ve always completed the full term. After Devaraj Urs, I am the only Chief Minister to have completed a full five-year term, and now I am serving a second time. Despite your ongoing attempts to stir conflict within us, we remain united,” Siddaramaiah said.