Karnataka Janata Party founder says he faces threats to life from Yeddyurappa

Chennai: Founder President of Karnataka Janata Party (KJP) Padmanabha Prassana Kumar today alleged he faced threats to his life in Karnataka from B S Yeddyurappa, who is heading KJP now and he wanted 'political asylum' in Tamil Nadu.

Kumar alleged that he has been receiving threats from Yeddyurappa and his son ever since he wrote to the Election Commission, stating that KJP had decided to revoke the decision to nominate Yeddyurappa as state unit president.

"I have been receiving life threat from him (Yeddyurappa) and his son", he claimed, adding he had requested the President, Prime Minister, Union home minister and Karnataka Governor (to provide him security).

"So I cannot go without security to Karnataka. There are threats to my life" an emotional Kumar told reporters here.

"On January 3, I went to Election Commission and submitted all documents. From there I left Karnataka and came to Chennai for political asylum. I need political asylum."

Kumar said he would meet Tamil Nadu chief minister Jayalalithaa later today seeking security "as there is no safety for me or my family in Karnataka."

Kumar alleged Yeddyurappa had been admitted to KJP as he had given 'some assurances' after leaving BJP. "That's why we took him into our party. I believed his assurances to be true, based on which he was admitted to the party last year."

After breaking ranks with BJP, Yeddyurappa had taken over as KJP president at a rally at Haveri in North Karnataka on Dec 9 2012. KJP had been in existence earlier but became prominent after Yeddyurappa walked into it and formally launched it at the rally.

Yeddyurappa had rubbished Prasanna's move to dislodge him from the party post, saying the latter had already informed EC on giving up the post and that he had taken over as President.