Yediyurappa birthday bash: Political rivals heap praise on Karnataka CM

Siddaramaiah, S.M. Krishna praised Yediyurappa for his fighting spirit

Yediyurappa birthday Congress leader Siddaramaiah (left), Defence Minister Rajnath Singh (centre) and Karnataka CM B.S. Yediyurappa at Yediyurappa's birthday celebrations in Bengaluru | PTI

Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa's 77th birthday celebrations at Palace grounds in Bengaluru on Thursday provided a rare sight, that of bonhomie between political opponents—and some honest confessions too.

If former chief ministers S.M. Krishna and Siddaramaiah praised Yediyurappa for his fighting spirit, BJP national general secretary (organisation) B.L. Santhosh, who is not known to share a cosy equation with Yediyurappa, acknowledged the latter's role in building the party up from scratch in Karnataka.

"Yediyurappa is one of the few leaders in Karnataka who understands the state well. If BJP has come to power in Karnataka, it is no doubt because of Yediyurappa. As the CM, he will face tremendous pressure and I wish him strength to withstand it," said Siddaramaiah.

Siddaramaiah saw a bit of himself and his journey in Yediyurappa too. "Yediyurappa did not become a CM straight away. In 1983, we entered the Assembly. I became a chief minister five years after he did. He took oath as CM four times; I took oath only once. Both of us had no political lineage. We both came from ordinary families. But, we fought our way through. Only those who come through struggle can understand the problems of the common man,” he said.

“Politics does not beckon any one. You choose to enter politics," he added, saying that he was here to wish the CM on an important milestone in his life.

"We oppose each other ideologically. Politics is different but human relations are important," he said.

Former chief minister S.M. Krishna recounted his long association with Yediyurappa. "He is short-tempered but his anger does not last long" said Krishna, recalling Yediyurappa's stint as the leader of opposition.

"Yediyurappa has a special trait. He keeps his word. In politics, often we cannot keep our promises owing to different kinds of pressures. But Yediyurappa is an exception. I am happy to see that this event is cutting across party lines. This is how politics should be. This kind of reconciliation beyond political considerations is akin to Karnataka. It is our tradition and we are here to uphold it," said Krishna.

Santhosh recounted the days when both Yediyurappa and Ananth Kumar worked hard to strengthen the party. "BJP has its presence in all the states as we have committed party workers. But, if the party has not come to power in southern states, unlike Karnataka, it is because they do not have a leader like Yediyurappa," said Santhosh.

Dalit poet Siddalingaiah, in the felicitation speech, compared the journey of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and that of Yediyurappa, saying, "I believe that a chaiwala becoming the PM of this country, and the son of a vegetable vendor family becoming the CM, was possible only because of democracy."

"Yediyurappa-ji is a born fighter. Once a fighter, always a fighter. has played an important role in strengthening the party organisation at the grass roots in Karnataka. He has always fought for people’s cause," said Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, who was the chief guest at the felicitation ceremony, which was attended by union ministers D.V. Sadananda Gowda, Pralhad Joshi and Suresh Angadi.

Yediyurappa thanked his well wishers for making it a special occasion and also recalled his 60th birthday celebration, when Atal Behari Vajpayee had graced the felicitated ceremony.

"This time, I am honoured to have Defence Minister Rajnath Singh gracing this occasion," he said.

Remembering the late Ananth Kumar, Yediyurappa said, "Ananth Kumar had a big role in BJP's growth in Karnataka. We criss-crossed the state on a bicycle to build the party. I have many challenges to face and works to be accomplished. I am sure I will get the necessary support from my party colleagues and the cooperation from the opposition party leader Siddaramaiah."