MYSURU: A day after Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s visit, former CM and senior BJP leader B S Yediyurappa also met Chamarajanagar BJP MP V Srinivasa Prasad at his Mysuru residence on Sunday to request him to attend Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s convention at Maharaja College ground, but Prasad politely refused the invitation.
Given Srinivas Prasad’s lack of participation in BJP’s Lok Sabha election campaign activities, it seems that he is maintaining distance from the party. Meanwhile, Congress leaders including CM Siddaramaiah’s meeting with Prasad has become a headache for the BJP.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will participate in an election rally in Mysuru today evening. Yeddyurappa visited Srinivas Prasad’s residence to invite him to participate in the rally and also inquired about Prasad’s health. Yediyurappa requested Prasad to share the stage with Narendra Modi at today’s BJP convention, but Prasad politely declined the invitation.
Reacting to his decision, Srinivas Prasad said, “Yediyurappa requested me attend the programme and sit for a while. I told him with folded hands that I am not feeling well and that I would retire from BJP itself. I have retired from active politics, so I will not participate in the convention. Modi is a global leader. I have served as an MP with him for five years. Modi is the best Prime Minister I have seen. I will not speak anything against Modi or BJP”.
Both leaders exchanged bouquets and had a friendly conversation. Srinivas Prasad told Yediyurappa, “Since I have retired, other leaders including CM are coming to meet me. Vijayendra came twice. Our son-in-law Harsha is in touch frequently. You are very busy”. Srinivas also asked Yediyurappa if he came all the way from Chitradurga to meet him.
Complementing Yediyurappa’s on his health, Prasad said, “Your health is good, you have taken care of yourself very well. I have shared the stage with Modi many times. Now I cannot even walk for a little distance”.
Speaking to reporters after leaving Srinivas Prasad’s residence, Yediyurappa said that Prasad has agreed to come to Modi’s programme. “Our MP is a very senior leader who has great respect for Modi. I appealed to him and asked him to stay for five minutes after meeting Modi. Now he has agreed to come. I am grateful for this”.
Talking about Yediyurappa’s invitation, Prasad said, “It is our duty to welcome those who have come home. Yediyurappa has been called to come to the programme. It is impossible to say ‘No’ on their face. I have spoken with respect and courtesy. It is my decision whether I should participate or not”.