Eshwarappa says he was loyal to BSY, but defends his letter to Governor

Rural development and panchayat raj minister KS Eshwarappa defended writing a letter to governor VR Vala complaining about chief minister BS Yediyurappa, saying his letter pertained to administrative issues and that there was nothing personal about it.

”I am loyal to Yediyurappa, not a rebel,” Eshwarappa told media persons in Mysuru on Friday.

He said he was aware some MLAs had demanded his resignation and that there had also been discussions about changing his portfolio. But he said there was no way he would back down as the issues he had raised in the letter were fair and many BJP leaders were with him on this.


The senior BJP leader said his disagreement arose from the fact that the finance department had released some funds to some districts without bringing it to his knowledge, while some grants announced in last year’s budget had yet to be released.

Senior BJP MLA (Vijayapura) Basanagouda Patil Yatnal threw his weight behind Eshwarappa and said the minister had spoken his mind because he had found his own powers curtailed. He also slammed reports of a signature campaign by sections of BJP members calling for action against Eshwarappa.

The CM's political secretary, MP Renukacharya, criticised Eshwarappa, saying it was for the first time a cabinet minister had taken his complaint to the governor.

Eshwarapa has kicked off a political storm in Karnataka by complaining to the governor about the CM's interference in his department, a move being seen as a sign of challenge to Yediyurappa’s authority.