Former Minister Umesh Katti’s remarks against leaders puts BJP in a spot

BENGALURU: Senior BJP leader Umesh Katti’s statement accusing his party leaders of not allowing him to attend Lingayat conventions has caused a major embarrassment to the party.Though senior BJP leaders jumped to Katti’s defence by stating that the former minister was quoted out of context, the Congress was quick to point out the differences within BJP.

In an interview to a private television channel, Katti had reportedly used unparliamentary language against his party leaders and accused them of not allowing him to be part of the campaign demanding separate religion status for Lingayats. Katti had stated that he supports the demand, but his party is not allowing him to be part of the campaign.

The former minister’s view on the issue is contrary to the party’s stand. By the time he issued a clarification and senior BJP leader Jagadish Shettar came to his defence the damage was done. “I have spoken to Katti over phone. His statement was twisted by a section of the media. In BJP, leaders believe both Lingayat and Veerashaiva are same. Even he has been convinced,’’ Shettar said.

In Bengaluru, KPCC president G Parameshwara told mediapersons that Katti’s statement was the latest proof that all was not well within the BJP. Many BJP leaders still do not accept B S Yeddyurappa as their leader and differences within BJP will definitely have an impact on the party in the 2018 assembly elections.

“If a leader like Katti has made such a statement, we have to trust him,’’  Parameshwara said. Katti’s statements came as a jolt to the BJP as the Congress is said to be making efforts to get him into the party ahead of the 2018 elections. “He might have discussed it with the Chief Minister but it has not come to my notice. If Katti is willing to join Congress, it will be discussed with Congress leaders in Belagavi. We welcome him to Congress,’’ he said. BJP leader Shettar, however, said Katti is not leaving the party.

BJP leaders to attend Lingayat convention BJP state unit chief
B S Yeddyurappa, former chief minister Jagadish Shettar and senior BJP leader Basavaraj Bommai will participate in the state-level convention of Lingayats to be held at Vijayapura on Sunday, said an organiser of the convention Sri Mahanta Shivacharya Swamiji.