Denying business or any other links with Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, BJP’s Karnataka unit President B. Y. Vijayendra said his own party colleagues have spread false information.

“If I had links with D.K. Shivakumar, I would be equally guilty like some of our MLAs, who have cross-voted in the MLC elections and working against the party,” he told reporters in Dharmasthala on June 26.

“I categorically deny business or any other links with D.K. Shivakumar. The respect that I have given to Mr. Shivakumar is the one given to fellow head of the State unit of a party. I know some of my own party colleagues have spread this information (about his alleged links with Mr. Shivakumar). I have prayed for the betterment of those persons,” he said stating that he was speaking frankly after having darshan of Lord Manjunatha and clarifying about the rumours following cross-voting.

Though voting in the MLC elections was through secret ballet, in the coming days, truth will come out to reveal who among BJP legislators cross-voted.

“I have left it to the party high command to take action. I was among the party workers who were hurt following cross-voting. Out of emotion, I proposed a meeting of party legislators in Dharmasthala. On the advise of party seniors, I left the issue to the party high command,” he said.

Mr. Vijayendra said he met party leaders in New Delhi over three days, and directly came to Dharmasthala on June 25 night. He has prayed for better rains across Karnataka, and to give him strength to steer the party back to power in the State”.

He will return to Bengaluru and speak with MLC C.T. Ravi, who heads the party’s committee looking into cross-voting. On the statement by former chief minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda that he had hinted of cross-voting, but no action was taken, Mr. Vijayendra said he spoke to the party’s State general secretary, who said that information provided by Mr. Gowda was general in nature.

On the statement of K.S. Eshwarappa regarding cross-voting, Mr. Vijayendra said he will not react as Mr. Eshwarappa is no longer associated with the party. “As he has referred to party MLAs, I would like to remind him that 17 Congress MLAs broke away to join the BJP that led to formation of the government led by B.S. Yediyurappa. You were the part of the cabinet as Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister, and I would not like to say anything about the way you worked. A contractor ended his life during your tenure while you enjoyed the perks of a cabinet post,” Mr. Vijayendra said.