Shivamogga (DHNS): Leader of the Opposition in the Council K S Eshwarappa on Saturday demanded that state BJP president B S Yeddyurappa apologise to BJP national general secretary (organisation) B L Santhosh for holding the latter responsible for the dissidence in the party.

Speaking to reporters at his residence here, he said Yeddyurappa’s remarks against Santhosh hurt the workers of the RSS, which is the backbone of the party. The former chief minister must apologise not only to Santhosh but also to all workers of RSS. When Yeddyurappa floated KJP by quitting BJP, it was Santhosh and others who worked to rebuild the party in the state, he said.

“Considering his organisation skills, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and party president Amit Shah took him to the national-level. RSS workers strive to give political power to us. It is not fair on the part of Yeddyurappa to make such remarks. Yeddyurappa is still under the control of a few persons, like in the KJP. The former chief minister should shun his ego for the welfare of the party.” He said BJP was not a private limited company. There is a practice of discussing all issues with leaders and workers.

Yeddyurappa should know this and stop taking unilateral decisions. He must take everyone together, he said.

“The state unit president is the chief ministerial candidate and there is no second thought about it. But Yeddyurappa should change his style of functioning,” Eshwarappa said. He said Amit Shah had directed Yeddyurappa in Delhi on January 27 to convene a meet to end the rift in the party. A four-member committee was also formed. But so far, no meeting of the panel has been convened. Eshwarappa made it clear there was no ego in this matter.