Jan Chetana Yatra: LK Advani rebukes BS Yeddyurappa in public

BANGALORE: BJP patriarch L K Advani made no pretensions of his strong disapproval for former chief minister B S Yeddyurappa's style of functioning, and on Sunday sent out a subtle message to Yeddyurappa's sympathizers - who were absent in large numbers - that fighting against corruption cannot be selective.

Advani began his three-day Jan Chetana Yatra in Karnataka by addressing a public meeting at the National College Grounds in Bangalore. He virtually snubbed Yeddyurappa, who was miffed that the party had asked him to step down after the Lokayukta report on illegal mining indicted him. "If we are fighting corruption , there can be no concession. This is my stand,'' the veteran leader maintained.

He had recently said that the Yeddyurappa episode has embarrassed the party. Ironically, Advani made these statements with the smiling portrait of Yeddyurappa in the backdrop , and with home and transport minister R Ashoka - against who a case of illegal land denotification has been registered - by his side. Yeddyurappa was visible in the banners, flexes and publicity material at the venue.

Defending the BJP, Advani said his party hadn't spared leaders whose names figured in the Lokayukta report on illegal mining . "Once the Lokayukta report was submitted, we decided to act. We didn't delay.'' However, probably to defend other tainted ministers of the state, he said: "Allegations are not enough. They should be proved.''