Music, drum beats welcome Yeddyurappa in Bangalore

BANGALORE - ‘Nadaswaram’ music, drum beats and slogan shouting supporters welcomed Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa as he landed here Wednesday from New Delhi after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) decided to retain him in the post despite allegations of corruption.

Amid slogans of “Bharat Mata ki jai” (Hail mother India) and “Yeddyurappanavarige jayavagali” (victory to Yeddyurappa), the chief minister told reporters that the party had not imposed any condition for his remaining in the post.

“There is no condition. The message is I should continue as chief minister for the remaining two-and-half years (of the five-year term) and work for the development of the state,” he said responding to questions.

Earlier in the day, the BJP announced in New Delhi that Yeddyurappa would remain chief minister despite demands for his resignation following allegations that he favoured his relatives in allotment of prime land.

Yeddyurappa accused the opposition parties - Congress and Janata Dal-Secular - of “raising unnecessary questions and making baseless allegations (against him)”.

Referring to the sweeping victory of the JDU-BJP alliance in Bihar and the rout of Congress, he said: “Congress should realise at least now and stop levelling baseless allegations.”

He added that state BJP chief K.S. Eshwarappa and ministers and other party leaders would extensively tour the state to ensure the party’s victory in district elections due next month.