Karnataka: CM says Yediyurappa\'s retirement can\'t be accepted
Bommai said ‘under some circumstances, leaders decide on retirement but his people would not leave him to stick to his decision.\'
Bengaluru: Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Friday said that he can’t accept the political retirement decision of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and former Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa and he stated that 'How big a leader might be, he would have to bow to the aspirations of his people/supporters (ultimately)."
It may be recalled here that Yediyurappa announced on the floor of the Assembly last month that he would not be contesting the forthcoming Assembly polls. On Yediyurappa's retirement, Bommai said ‘under some circumstances, leaders decide on retirement but his people would not leave him to stick to his decision.'
Addressing that gathering at Udutadi village in Shikaripura taluk (home turf of Yediyurappa) of Shivamogga after unveiling a statue of social reformer Akka Mahadevi, Chief Minister hoped that the services of Yediyurappa would be available unhindered and stated his relation with Yediyurappa is like ‘father and son.’
The ‘father-son’ relationship will go last as usual and his relation with Yediyurappa is above politics, he said and assured to carry the programmes of Yediyurappa and also abide by his guidance.
On Yediyurappa, Bommai said Yediyurappa was in power for about 7 years as a Chief Minister and rest of his political life was always struggle for the people and he has earned a permanent place in the hearts of the people and none can disturb that permanent place in the hearts of the State.
Presently, Bommai said there is no ‘dearth’ of ‘selfish’ leaders and many enter politics with aspirations to become Chief Ministers and at this juncture, Yediyurappa’s presence in politics is needed more than before.
In Karnataka politics, Bommai said, only two Chief Ministers demonstrated leadership qualities-late Chief Minister Ramakrishna Hegde and other being B.S. Yediyurappa and none can forget them. Bommai said that Yediyurappa groomed many budding leaders including himself.
Terming Yediyurappa a ‘social reformer’ rendering justice to all sections of the society, Bommai said as a Chief Minister Yediyurappa was instrumental in the development of Kaginele and Bada, places associated with saint-poet Kanakadasa, took a decision to hold Valmiki jayanthi in the State, made donations to religious institutions among others.