HUBLI: Relieved at the High Court quashing an FIR against B S Yeddyurappa in a case related to illegal mining, the former CM is poised to wield his clout at his birthday bash here on Sunday.
Yeddyurappa’s loyalists, Basavaraj Bommai, Umesh Katti, C M Udasi, Ashok Katwe, Mohan Limbikai among others, have been putting in efforts to ensure the event’s successs with an expected participation of over 2 lakh people from the north Karnataka region. Party leaders add that the event will be a “show of strength” and supporters want to convey that Yeddyurappa still commands mass support.
The former CM, by winning back RDPR Minister Jagadish Shettar - a follower of MP Ananthkumar - has managed to position himself as the unquestionable leader among Lingayats. All MLAs have been directed to ensure participation of maximum number of people. Dozens of heads of religious mutts from across NK, too, will be present at the Nehru stadium, the venue.
Meanwhile, ministers Bommai, Nirani among others who met party president Nitin Gadkari in Goa, have formally invited him to the convention; it is said that Gadkari expressed unavailability due to his pre-occupation with programmes.