Former Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa stirred a row on Saturday while giving instruction to his partymen on how to get people not supporting the BJP to vote in favour of the party candidate.
Yeddyurappa said: “Yaru matadararu namage mata kodolla nimage annisutto, avara kai kalu katti Mahantesh Doddagoudar avaranta olle vykatiyanne gello haage maadi.”
It literally translates as, “Tie the hands of those who you think will not vote for the BJP and ensure a gentleman like Mahantesh wins.” But colloquially, it means workers should fall at the feet of voters if need be and get Mahantesh elected. However, the remarks set off a row as the literal translation did the rounds.
He was speaking at a public rally at MK Hubli village in Kittur Assembly constituency where the party has fielded Mahantesh Dodagoudar.
The former CM said he won’t wait for the Centre’s help to waive off farm loans availed from nationalised banks like CM Siddaramaiah. “Besides, loans of nationalised banks, I’ll directly waive off loans up to Rs 1 lakh availed from cooperative societies on the lines of Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh from the treasury of Karnataka," he said.
Taking a dig at Congress, Yeddyurappa said it has divided the state into three factions of Siddaramaiah, G Parameshwara and Mallikarjun Kharge. He dared Congress to bring them all on a single dais if possible. He also said Congress is a sinking ship.
BJP state vice-president KP Nanjundi, MP Suresh Angadi and MlA Umesh Katti were present.