Shaadi Bhagya is vote bank politics, says B S Yeddyurappa

BANGALORE: Terming as 'vote bank politics' the state government's Shaadi Bhagya scheme to provide Rs 50,000 dole to poor Muslim girls at the time of marriage,former Chief Minister and KJP leader B S Yeddyurappa today extended till November 24 his ongoing dharna seeking extension of the programme to all communities.

"100 per cent he (Chief Minister Siddaramaih) is playing vote bank politics eying minority votes, which is not correct. Even our Muslim friends are saying CM has to extend the programme to all the communities .....Up to 24th I'm going to continue my protest here..." Yeddyurappa told reporters here.

He said he has called off his plan to lay siege to Vidhana Soudha, the state secretariat and added that KJP's state executive committee meeting has been convened to decide the further course of action on the matter.

Yeddyurappa is on the fifth day of his day-night dharna, demanding extending the dole to all communities. His other demand is to press for restoring rice and wheat supply to Above Poverty Line (APL) card-holders.

On not getting much support for his protest from other major opposition parties, he said "I think in a day or two they will support our cause; ....but I have not spoken to any political party seeking support."