'Anybody can join', says Yatnal extending ‘Waqf’ jatha invitation to BJP chief B Y Vijayendra through media

Mysuru: Factionalism and the rift in the BJP came to the fore when senior party leader and MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal said that he is extending an invitation to BJP state president B Y Vijayendra through the media for his month-long jatha. The yatra, to mark the protest against the Waqf Board from November 25 to December 25, will travel through Bidar to Chamarajanagar.

MLA and former minister Ramesh Jarkiholi added that anyone is welcome to join the jatha under the leadership of Yatnal.

Along with another BJP rebel leader and former minister Kumar Bangarappa, Yatnal and Jarkiholi visited Sri Chamundeshwari Devi temple atop the Chamundi Hill, in Mysuru, on Friday. No local BJP leader was spotted with them.

Speaking to media persons, Yatnal said, it is a BJP jatha, but anybody having concerns for Hindus can join it.

Seeks evidence

Yatnal asked Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to provide evidence to his allegation that 50 Congress MLAs were offered Rs 50 crore each to topple the Congress government in Karnataka. “Siddaramaiah should not make baseless allegations. Let him tell who came to offer the amount to the MLAs,” he said.

Referring to the warning of Siddaramaiah, Yatnal said, the warning is not for the BJP, but for his own deputy D K Shivakumar.

In his reply to a question on the rumours that Shivakumar has hinted that the Shakthi scheme of free KSRTC bus ride would be extended to men also, Yatnal said, in a few months the existing guarantee schemes will also be stopped by the Congress government.

“There are no tyres and engines for KSRTC buses now. Will Shivakumar get diesel for the buses from his personal funds?” he asked.