Karnataka BJP president Yeddyurappa defends DK Shivakumar over Lingayat issue

Yeddyurappa told reporters here on Saturday that Shivakumar had expressed his personal view and hence criticising him for the statement is uncalled for.
BJP state president B S Yeddyurappa. (Photo| EPS)
BJP state president B S Yeddyurappa. (Photo| EPS)

SHIVAMOGGA: BJP state president and Lingayat strongman B S Yeddyurappa defended Water Resources Minister and senior Congress leader D K Shivakumar who stirred a controversy by stating that the Congress paid the price in the recent Assembly polls for supporting the demand for a separate Lingayat religion.

Yeddyurappa, who had given a backhanded compliment to Shivakumar in the Assembly in May by calling him a ‘Khalanayaka’ for playing a crucial role that defeated Yeddyurappa’s efforts to gain support of some of Congress’ 78 lawmakers, has now come in support of Shivakumar for having the same stand as him over the Lingayat issue.

Yeddyurappa told reporters here on Saturday that Shivakumar had expressed his personal view and hence criticising him for the statement is uncalled for.

“Shivakumar has given the statement after understanding the ground reality. One should welcome his statement instead of denouncing him. I don’t see any politics in his statement,” said Yeddyurappa, who has been opposing the separate Lingayat religion status.

Shivakumar’s open apology had angered Congress leaders, especially Vinay Kulkarni and M B Patil, who spearheaded the movement.

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