Shivamogga: Ahead of BS Yediyurappa's 'Abhimanotsava' (fan festival) scheduled for May 9 in Chitradurga, Shivamogga MP BY Raghavendra and senior BJP MLA Araga Jnanendra, on Thursday said that former chief minister BS Yediyurappa has been a mentor and an inspiration for political activists.
Explaining the choice of venue, the MP noted that Chitradurga is a land that honours 'Nari Shakti' and is the site of Onake Obavva's legendary bravery.
Union home minister Amit Shah is slated to attend the event at 3pm, while the event starts with a meeting of various seers at noon. A massive gathering of nearly 10 lakh people is expected on a 500-acre site near the Madara Chennaiah Gurupeetha, with seating for 3 lakh and the participation of over a thousand religious leaders.
Raghavendra said Yediyurappa built the party from nothing and took it to power. "He is a leader who groomed others into leadership," he added. Araga Jnanendra, who has been with Yediyurappa since 1975, remarked that the former chief minister's life is a lesson for those seeking 'shortcuts' in politics. He also noted that it was Yediyurappa who transformed the BJP's image from being seen as a party exclusively for the upper class and traders, in the state.
