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Terming as 'vote bank politics' the state government's Shaadi Bhagya scheme to provide Rs 50,000 dole to poor Muslim girls at the time of marriage, former Chief Minister and KJP leader B S Yeddyurappa on Monday extended till November 24 his ongoing dharna seeking extension of the programme to all communities.
"100 per cent he (Chief Minister Siddaramaiah) is playing vote bank politics eying minority votes, which is not correct," he said.
"Even our Muslim friends are saying the Chief Minister has to extend the programme to all the communities. I'm going to continue my protest here up to the 24th," Yeddyurappa told reporters in Bangalore on Monday.
He said he has called off his plan to lay siege to Vidhana Soudha, the state secretariat and added that KJP's state executive committee meeting has been convened to decide the further course of action on the matter.
Yeddyurappa is on the fifth day of his day-night dharna, demanding an extension of the dole to all communities.
Yeddyurappa is also pressing for the restoration of rice and wheat supply to Above Poverty Line (APL) card-holders.
On not getting much support for his protest from other major opposition parties, he said, "I think in a day or two they will support our cause; but I have not spoken to any political party seeking support."
