Bellary : Former Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa and BJP rebel B Sreeramulu today faced-off while campaigning for bye-election to November 30 Bellary rural assembly constituency, claiming that they were the kingmakers. 

Yeddyurappa said as chief minister he gave Bellary three ministers (Reddy brothers and Sreeramulu) from the district. “I was the only chief minister to have given Bellary three ministers from the district,” he said at Cowl Bazar.

BJP would take strict action against those BJP legislators who were campaigning for Sreeramulu in the bypoll, Yeddyurappa said. “A lesson will be taught to those supporting Sreeramulu,” he added.

Yeddyurappa said he was confident of party candidate Gadi Linganappa winning the bypoll, which he considered as crucial for both the party and the government.

“People in Bellary have seen our development works across the state and they are with us. I am confident that Gadi Lingappa will win the bypoll,” he said.

Hitting back at Yeddyurappa while campaigning at Honalli Tanda, Sreeramulu said he and Reddy brothers’, in fact, were instrumental in making the BJP leader chief minister.

“With Reddy brothers’ support Yeddyurappa became chief minister … also he has taken help from us whenever required,” he said.