Bangalore : Excise Minister M P Renukacharya on Thursday said he was humiliated by some influential leaders who call the shots in the State BJP by refusing to give him the responsibility of distributing the party tickets in his Assembly constituency, Honnali, during the recently concluded Urban Local Body (ULB) polls.

Addressing reporters, he said though he has selflessly served the party for over two decades, the leaders were doubting his loyalty.

“I was treated like an outsider in my own party during the polls. It was because of the dictatorial attitude of these leaders, the party was routed the polls,” he said.

Influential leaders

He, however, refused to disclose the names of the influential leaders. On insisting, he only said these leaders control the party in the name of ‘organisation.’

He said he has the highest respect for all the party leaders, including Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar, Deputy Chief Minister K S Eshwarappa and party national general secretary Ananth Kumar.

Renukacharya’s outburst has come at a time when speculations are rife that he may soon join the B S Yeddyurappa-led KJP.

When asked about the poor performance of the BJP in the ULB polls, the minister said the party would not have lost so badly if Yeddyurappa remained in the party. To a question whether he would be joining the KJP, he said he was still with the BJP.