Yeddyurappa rules out mid-term polls in Karnataka

Former Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa on Sunday ruled out possibility of mid-term assembly polls following political turmoil in Bharatiya Janata Party's state unit in the wake of Bellary strongman B Sreeramulu's decision to quit the party and contest the bypoll as an independent.

There were no differences in the ruling BJP and the present government would complete its remaining term in office, he told mediapersons at Hubli airport.

Replying to a question, Yeddyurappa said he would soon campaign for Gadilingappa, who is contesting the Bellary Rural bypoll as BJP candidate. "I am confident of BJP retaining Bellary seat," he said on his first visit to Hubli after his release on bail in land scam cases.

He, however, said he could not be present when Gadilingappa filed his nomination as he was preoccupied with other works.

Sreeramulu, a former minister and close aide of mining barons, Reddy brothers, quit the party after filing nomination as an independent candidate for the Bellary Rural bypoll on November 9.

Dismissing reports that he was eyeing for the state party president's post, Yeddyurappa said he was a common party worker and would work for strengthening the BJP in the state.

The senior BJP leader was in Hubli to attend the marriage of a relative's son.