My absence in electoral politics is a challenge for BJP: BS Yediyurappa

Bengaluru: Former Karnataka chief minister and BJP leader BS Yediyurappa said he does not agree with pitting 18th-century Mysuru ruler Tipu Sultan against Hindutva ideologue VD Savarkar.

The veteran leader came down on the BJP state president Nalin Kateel's line of thought, refusing to subscribe to the narrative on Tipu vs Savarkar.

Meanwhile, Yediyurappa, who is the stalwart of the BJP in south India, said he will continue in politics; however he will not go back on his decision to quite electoral politics.

"I told people of Karnataka, I'm not retiring from politics. I am not tired, I will campaign and bring BJP to power. I will tour the state. BJP will get an absolute majority... Quitting electoral politics was my decision, nobody forced me. I will convince people why I took this decision," NDTV quoted him as saying.

Yediyurappa, who draws his political clout from the Lingayat community, said he resigned as chief minister to accommodate Basavaraj Bommai, and added that his absence in political will be a challenge for the BJP.

“The BJP must face these challenges. I won't go back on my decision of not contesting polls," he reportedly said.

Earlier this week, he made a sort of ‘farewell speech’ in the Karnataka assembly saying that he will strive to build up his party till his last breath.

In July last year, Yediyurappa announced the decision not to contest assembly polls anymore, vacating his Shikaripura Assembly seat for his younger son BY Vijayendra who is the BJP state Vice-President if the party leadership agrees.

The veteran leader won from Shikaripura eight times after he started contesting there in 1983.