SHIVAMOGGA: Former Karnataka CM BS Yediyurappa’s 84th birthday in Shikaripura became a platform for Union Minister Prahlad Joshi to extol his unyielding spirit in leading the state through crises via protests and steadfast struggles.
Joshi saluted Shikaripura residents for fostering a leader whose stature has fused with the town’s very essence. Yediyurappa’s non-stop labor and popular mandate ensure his venerated position persists, he said.
Tying it to BJP’s rise as the world’s top party under PM Modi, Joshi credited Yediyurappa’s grassroots groundwork and mobilization prowess for Karnataka’s BJP stronghold. He anticipated prolonged mentorship from this veteran to the party and populace.
BY Vijayendra, state BJP head and MLA, attributed to Yediyurappa the feat of mentoring several CMs and clinching four terms himself. Hailing from Mandya’s Bookanakere, he turned Shikaripura into his launchpad, securing eight wins across roles including opposition leader.
Voters there catapulted him to state and national fame, Vijayendra noted. The event felicitated 70+ community figures who bolstered his climb. In opposition, Yediyurappa was a fierce advocate for the poor, rural folk, workers, and scheduled castes/tribes.
Worker devotion, spiritual support, and mass backing fueled his CM reigns. He prioritized redressal for the exploited, empowerment of fringes, and farmer advancement. This multifaceted legacy positions Yediyurappa as Karnataka’s political north star.