“When we helped BJP come to power in the state in 2019, the central leadership gave Yediyurappa a two year term after which he was supposed to step down,” Vishwanath said.
Vishwanath was among the 17 Congress and JD(S) MLAs who toppled the coalition government by resigning their assembly membership and helped the BJP come to power.
He said the 78-year old Yediyurappa had become frail because of his advancing age, and was not in a position to deliver good administration. “We all have affection and respect for him and the work he has done in the past. But now he lacks the strength to even handle Covid situation,” Vishawanth told reporters.
His statement came a day after he made similar scathing remarks against the BJP government and the dynasty politics, after a one-on-one meeting with party’s general secretary Arun Singh who is on a three day visit to the state.
Several other BJP leaders have taken exception to Vishwanath’s comments and have demanded the party high command to initiate disciplinary action against him.
Vishwanath who seemed unperturbed about developments said the party central leaders were free to take action against him. “I have no issues about it. I am only speaking the truth,” he said.
Arun Singh who is in-charge of the Karnataka BJP will chair the state core committee meeting on Friday, on the last day of his stay in Bengaluru. Over the past two days, he has met the state ministers and MLAs including those who are unhappy with Yediyurappa’s leadership.