Bengaluru (DHNS): A day after his swanky Rs 1.15 crore vehicle hit the headlines, BJP state president B S Yeddyurappa said he would not use the SUV?to tour drought-hit regions.

On Friday, Yeddyurappa was seen cruising around in the brand new Toyota Land Cruiser Prado, given to him by former minister and industrialist Murugesh Nirani.

The seven-seater vehicle became an instant hit among party workers, who were seen posing for pictures in front of the luxury SUV. However, following extensive media glare, Yeddyurappa seemed to have become cautious about attracting criticism for using the vehicle to tour drought-hit regions.
Yeddyurappa told reporters at his party office on Saturday that he would travel to the north Karnataka districts by train and use a car within the districts.

“I have always preferred travelling by train. Nirani has lent me the SUV for party activities. The vehicle is neither in my name nor the party’s. He is free to take back the vehicle whenever he wishes,” added Yeddyurappa.

Yeddyurappa will begin his tour from the same district that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah chose- Bidar. He will tour the districts between April 27 and May 1.

Despite Yeddyurappa’s announcement, Congress MLC?V?S?Ugrappa took a dig at him and Nirani. “He is thinking of his own comfort instead of the plight of the people and farmers. Nirani, instead of clearing the Rs 180-crore dues to sugarcane farmers, has chosen to buy an expensive vehicle to be given to Yeddyurappa,” he added.

‘People aware of lab row’

Yeddyurappa said there was no need for the BJP to take up a campaign against Chief Minister Siddaramaiah over the diagnostic lab set up by his son Dr Yathindra and his partner. “People of the state are aware about the happenings and they will give a fitting reply in due time. There is no point in furnishing complaints to anybody, including the Governor, because they are being very brazen. It doesn’t make a difference if he resigns or not,” he added.