Congress winds blowing in BJP too, says Eshwarappa, rues loss of discipline in party

HUBBALLI: Senior BJP leader K S Eshwarappa on Monday set off ripples in the party when he said that the ‘Congress winds’ are sweeping in the BJP too and that there was lack of discipline in the party, giving a hint of his displeasure over Operation Lotus.

Addressing a press conference here, Eshwarappa said, “We brought in leaders from the Congress and we are experiencing the effects of it”. Admitting that there is a bit of lack of discipline, he said, “When we were just four of us in the party, there was a lot of discipline. Our party high command is strong. They have just let some leaders have their time and will put a stop to it when the time is right”, he said.

On the issue of ‘adjustment politics’, raised by some BJP leaders, Eshwarappa said it is unfortunate that they are speaking publicly. “These issuess should be discussed between four wall. I have appealed to the party state president to hear out those leaders and I will also speak to them”, he said.

On the Congress guarantees, he said the government has cheated the people and is trying to blame the Centre. “The people of the state are angry, they know that the Centre is provding 5 kg of rice. The government has not given a rupee to unemployed gradutates. They did nto even estimate how much the guarantees will cost the government and no one knows where they will bring the money from. The CM should come clear about this”, he said.

Union Minister Pralhad Joshi addressing the press conference.

Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, who was also present at the press conference, said, “The Centre is already providing 5 kg of rice and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah should clarify if will give 10 kg of additional rice. The Union government has to maintain buffer stocks and the rules apply equally to all states, including BJP-ruled states. If they wanted rice from the Centre, they should have asked us before making their announcement. Like how the Centre purchases rice by calling tenders, let them also do the same”.

He also said the hike in power tariff is badly affecting citizens. “They are chasing out industries and not letting businesses to run. By imposing conditions for the Bhagyas, the Congress is cheating the people”, he said.

He also criticised Congress leaders for calling Prime Minister Narendra Modi names and added that Siddaramaiah should understand that the party scored zero in Uttar Pradesh under the leadership of Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra. “The Congress is overflowing with corruption. Whether it is transfers or ongoing works, they have stopped it for commission”, he alleged.