Yeddyurappa claims threat to his life from ’black magic’

Mangalore Today News Network

January 31: Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa today claimed there was a conspiracy to eliminate him by taking recourse to "black magic" after efforts to use it to unseat him from power failed.

In remarks that are bound to raise the political heat in the state further, Yeddyurappa said, "Those who indulged in black magic to unseat me from power and failed are involved in it again".

"There is a conspiracy to eliminate me. I am not even sure whether I will return home after visiting Vidhana Soudha (state secretariat)," said Yeddyurappa, who has been facing unending troubles since becoming chief minister in 2008.

Yeddyurappa, who was instrumental in bringing BJP to power for the first time in the south, overcame two bouts of internal revolt and won confidence motion twice in assembly before facing a criminal case for alleged corruption with Governor H R Bhardwaj sanctioning his prosecution recently.

On October 11 last, when Yeddyurappa faced the first floor test, chopped chicken heads and vermillion-smeared pooja articles were found strewn near the Vidhana Soudha, fueling rumours that it was part of witchcraft.

Yeddyurappa had then blamed the opposition for it, but they had accused him of indulging in such practises to remain in power. When a reporter asked him whether he calls alleged black magic a "threat to his life", he shot back "so what?".

Known for his frequent visits to temples, especially during crisis, and for liberal donations, often inviting opposition ridicule and criticism, Yeddyurappa, however, said he would not be cowed down by such threats (black magic).

He said he would soon write to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh complaining against Bhardwaj for his remarks "Ulta chor kotwal ko dante" (thief chiding police), terming it as an insult to him and also to the six crore people of the state.

The controversial remarks of Bhardwaj, who has been consistently at logger heads with Yeddyurappa, came recently after the state cabinet advised him not to proceed on the petition seeking his nod for the chief minister’s prosecution.

"The BJP high command is fully supporting me. I want to tell those outside the BJP and also our partymen that there will be a BJP Government in Karnataka for the remaining two years tenure. No body can dislodge it".

Asked about BJP leader Shatrugan Sinha’s observation that he should quit over the allegations of corruption and land scams, Yeddyurappa declined to react to it.

"I don’t want to react. All I can say is the party high command is fully supporting me," he said. Yeddyurappa was here along with Sri Shivakumara Swamiji, the pontiff of Siddaganga mutt in Tumkur, to attend a mass marriage organised by the Suttur Mutt, a prominent religious institution of majority Lingayat community.
PTI