Mysuru (Karnataka): In a heated exchange between political heavyweights, veteran BJP leader B S Yediyurappa has firmly responded to Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s recent call for his retirement due to his involvement in a POCSO Act case. Yediyurappa, the former Chief Minister, stated on Friday that the truth will come out when the court delivers its verdict and warned that Siddaramaiah would face consequences for his remarks.
Siddaramaiah had previously urged Yediyurappa to retire from public life, citing his status as an accused in a Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act case. This call came amid ongoing allegations and controversies surrounding Yediyurappa’s tenure and personal conduct.
In response, the 81-year-old Yediyurappa shot back, emphasizing that the court’s decision will ultimately reveal the truth. “He (Siddaramaiah) has to say such things. The time for him to retire and go home is approaching. It is natural for him to make such statements about others,” Yediyurappa said, referring to Siddaramaiah’s call for his resignation.
Yediyurappa dismissed Siddaramaiah’s comments as politically motivated and said, “Who will retire, who will not, we will get to know in the days ahead, when the case is decided by the court in a few days. Let’s decide who will retire after that.” He also expressed confidence that Siddaramaiah would face a fitting reply from the public once the court has rendered its judgment.
The POCSO case against Yediyurappa was registered on March 14, following a complaint from the mother of a 17-year-old girl who alleged that the former Chief Minister sexually assaulted her daughter during a meeting at his residence in Dollars Colony, Bengaluru, on February 2. The Criminal Investigation Department (CID), which is handling the case, filed a charge-sheet against Yediyurappa at the Fast Track Court on June 27.
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Amid this legal turmoil, Yediyurappa and his party, the BJP, have been actively campaigning against Siddaramaiah and his administration. The BJP, along with the JD(S), is currently engaged in a week-long Bengaluru-Mysuru padayatre (foot march) to demand Siddaramaiah’s resignation over an alleged scam involving the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA). The controversy centers around claims of fraudulent allotment of sites, including those allotted to Siddaramaiah’s wife, Parvathi.
The padayatre is set to culminate in a major rally in Mysuru on Saturday, where the BJP plans to hold a significant convention. Yediyurappa highlighted the enthusiasm and support the protest march has garnered, stating, “There is a good response beyond our expectation. Public anger against this government is being expressed everywhere. Let’s wait and see what will happen in the future.”
In his rebuttal to Siddaramaiah’s call for his resignation, Yediyurappa also criticized the current government for corruption, specifically targeting the MUDA site allotment issue. He accused Siddaramaiah of engaging in high-level corruption and remarked, “The corruption has reached its peak in this government. What he (Siddaramaiah) has done is an unpardonable offence, so we are fighting against it.”
This political showdown highlights the intense rivalry and accusations between the two leaders, with Yediyurappa’s legal battles and Siddaramaiah’s alleged involvement in the MUDA scam fueling the contentious atmosphere. As the court case progresses and the padayatre concludes, both leaders are preparing for a continued clash, with their respective supporters eagerly watching the unfolding drama.
