Party purged of pesky elements, say BJP leaders

State heads admit they faltered in governance; promise to make amends

On the day Pralhad Joshi formally assumed office as the State party president, a section of the senior leaders of the BJP collectively hit out at B S Yeddyurappa for ridiculing his parent party and also denting the image of the party, while he was in power.

Joshi, Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar, H N Ananth Kumar, D V Sadananda Gowda, K S Eshwarappa, Govind Karjol and R Ashoka and other leaders shared the dais on Saturday, at the party office in Bangalore to vent their anger against Yeddyurappa. At the same time, they said the party had been ‘cleansed’ now and it was capable of bouncing back.

Before the commencement of the programme, Joshi, along with other party leaders and workers, offered prayers at Kadu Malleswara temple, located close to the BJP office. Later, he took charge as the president from Eshwarappa.

Joshi, addressing the gathering, admitted that the party’s image had taken a beating due to the blunders committed by ‘some selfish people’. But such people had moved out of the party and hence it was ‘clean’ now.

He said, henceforth, there would be no room for confusions or for committing mistakes in the party. People of the State would pardon the BJP and bring it back to power, he said.

Joshi said the BJP had an inherent strength. The party would be fair to all.
“Like the way people pull the Jagannath Rath, workers and leaders would take the BJP Rath to Vidhana Soudha,” he said.

Referring to Yeddyurappa’s statement, branding him as ‘immature’, the new president said that he (Joshi) had a child-like mind and would win the confidence of the people.

“People are well aware who greedily fought for power in the party. They fought like the way they fight for property share in a family, and quit the party.”

He likened himself to the commander appointed during war time.

“My soldiers (workers) know how to strengthen my hands. Ours is not a personality-based party. There are lakhs of workers and thousands of leaders. We have taken the elections as a challenge,” he said.

Joshi said the party was going to the polls under the leadership of a ‘clean and strong leader’. Party tickets will be given to those who have the winnability factor, commitment and good conduct. The party’s performance in government in the last five years would be placed before the people, while seeking their support, he said.

Chief Minister Shettar claimed that this time too, the BJP would get a clear majority.

“Those who are giving cheap political statements will be taught a fitting lesson by the people. Everybody is aware of the developments that took place in their period and how much they swindled,” he said, while making an oblique reference to Yeddyurappa.


‘Filth gone’

K S Eshwarappa, launching a veiled attack on Yeddyurappa, said “We are free from illegal mining, denotifications and CBI inquiries. The filth has gone. The BJP parivar is clean now. We will build the party as per the people’s wish,” he said.

Sadananda Gowda, who failed to get the president’s post, said the party’s battery (meaning Joshi) is fully charged. In the first three years, the party government could not meet the expectations of the people. This was the reason for not doing well in the ULB polls. Henceforth, the party will grow well, he said.

Failed bid to visit Soudha

Joshi said that when he was 13, his father had brought him to Bangalore from Hubli to show him the Vidhana Soudha. His father frequented the Legislators’ Home, looking for passes to enter the Soudha. But, he could not make it to the secretariat as passes could not be availed.