Puttaswamy quits as BJP’s BC Morcha president
BENGALURU: The simmering discontent within BJP over the selection of candidates for the recently held Legislative Council election has come to the fore as former MLC BJP Puttaswamy on Monday quit from the post of BJP Backward Classes Morcha president.
Puttaswamy was disappointed as he was not renominated for MLC seat and has vented his ire at BJP state president B S Yeddyurappa. In a two-page resignation letter to Yeddyurappa, Puttaswamy said, “I want to know on what grounds I was denied the nomination for MLC seat. I was not only assured of renomination to the Council, you had also hinted at making me the leader of the opposition in the Legislative Council. I do not know why you failed to keep your word.”
Recalling his active role in BJP’s attack against the previous Siddaramaiah government, Puttaswamy said, “I exposed many scams of the previous government by putting my life at risk. I faced all the challenges with courage. Nobody came to my aid when I was attacked and attempts were even made on my life. I had never worked for my selfish interests. I have worked relentlessly over the last 45 years for the welfare of backward communities and raised my voice against injutice to backward communities.”
The former minister also conveyed his displeasure at the way the party leadership treated him during campaigning and selection of candidates in the recent assembly election. Puttaswamy, who had stayed away from the Sangolli Rayanna Brigade and organised many OBC rallies under the BJP banner, has said that the party has meted out a raw deal for him.Yeddyurappa refused to react when asked to comment on Puttaswamy’s resignation.