RAICHUR/BENGALURU:Independent MLA from Kolar Varthur Prakash has announced that he would be keen on contesting against BJP State President BS Yeddyurappa in the next Assembly election.
With BJP National President Amit Shah asking Yeddyurappa to contest from a suitable constituency in northern Karnataka, Varthur Prakash said, “I will contest against Yeddyurappa irrespective of the constituency, if Yeddyurappa decides to take the poll plunge from northern Karnataka.”
Speaking to mediapersons in Raichur, Prakash said, he would be the Congress candidate against Yeddyurappa if the latter decides to contest from a constituency in Hyderabad-Karnataka or Mumbai-Karnataka region. “I have already held preliminary talks with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in this regard and he has responded positively,” Prakash said.Prakash, a staunch loyalist of Siddaramaiah belonging to the Kuruba caste is set to join Congress. “I will join Congress in the presence of All India Congress Committee (AICC) Vice President Rahul Gandhi at a massive public rally to be held in November,” he said.
Launching an attack against Yeddyurappa, he said, the former Chief Minister had abandoned his Shikaripur constituency because he had sensed defeat. He went on to term Yeddyurappa the Shakuni of the modern era and called Siddaramaiah Lord Krishna. “BJP’s Mission 150 strategy will not work in Karnataka. Yeddyurappa is himself responsible for BJP’s pathetic condition,” Prakash said.
Prakash, who is known for his changing loyalties had supported the BJP government led by DV Sadananda Gowda in 2011 and was rewarded with a ministerial berth. He was given the Textiles portfolio. He succeeded in getting elected to the Legislative Assembly as an independent candidate from Kolar constituency and is eager to contest the next Assembly election for Congress.