'I am a free man relieved of burden': Yeddyurappa

Former Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa, who stepped down following his indictment by the Lokayukta report on illegal mining, today described himself as a "free man relieved of burden" and said he would focus on building the BJP in the state as an ordinary worker.

"I am a free man relieved of burden.I will strive for building the BJP in the state as a ordinary volunteer", Yeddyurappa told reporters on his first visit to his home district after demitting office.

He said he would visit all the taluks in the district to thank people for helping him serve as Chief Minister in the last three years and undertake a statewide tour after the rainy season to build the party.

Earlier, when Yeddyurappa arrived along with Minister for Excise M P Renukacharya,supporters of Belur Gopalakrishna, MLA from Sagar, raised slogans demanding that their leader be inducted into the ministry.

Yeddyurappa said it was the prerogative of Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda to decide on whom to induct into the ministry and suggested to the protesters that they discuss the issue with the BJP state unit president K S Eswarappa.

Gopalakrishna's supporters also undertook "urulu seve" (rolling on floor) at a temple to seek divine intervention to make their leader a minister and gheraoed Renukacharya, demanding that he exert pressure on leaders on their demand or resign from the ministry.

Asked about the protests staged by Gopalakrishna's supporters, Eswarappa said the party would not be cowed down by "such tactics or pressure".

Sadananda Gowda had expanded his ministry yesterday inducting 21 ministers with Cabinet rank.