Issued no threat to Hiremath: ex-CM

CHITRADURGA: Former chief minister B S Yeddyurappa on Wednesday challenged S R Hiremath to disclose the names and phone numbers from where the latter was receiving threatening calls.Replying to questions poised by media persons before leaving to Gadag for a private function, Yeddyurappa said, “I have high regards for Hiremath who is working hard to eradicate corruption from the state. In fact, I support his cause.”He also requested the state government to conduct an inquiry into the issue and initiate criminal proceedings against the errant without any mercy by taking the call details from Hiremath.Yeddyurappa denied he or his followers had anything to do with the incident. He added some people politicising the issue to tarnish his image. On the question of the apex court staying the Karnataka High Court’s order on Director General of Police Shankar M Bidari, he said, “I am welcoming the court’s decision as it should be respected by everyone.” Karnataka Handloom Development Corporation president M D Lakshminarayana, who accompanied the former chief minister, said, “Yeddyurappa will rise like the phoenix and work towards the betterment of the state.”