Karnataka CM Resignation: Decision Over Yediyurappa’s Future Likely Today; All You Need To Know

Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa on Sunday said that the decision regarding his resignation was likely to arrive by evening, however, the suspense over it continued as there was no announcement made, and in fact BJP president JP Nadda lauded Lingayat strongman’s work, denying any crisis.

The 78-year-old who has been the face of the BJP in the state in the past two decades said that he was yet to receive the “message” from the party’s central leadership. 

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According to the sources, the BJP leadership is likely to decide on the next Karnataka CM today.

Previously, BS Yediyurappa denied offering his resignation however he finally opened up about it as he said that he had offered to resign two months ago and he reiterated that he would continue in the post if the high command so desired and quit if they asked him to.

“I will work for the party day and night for the next 10- 15 years. Let there be no doubt about it”, the Chief Minister said.

All eyes will be on the event celebrating 2 years of the BJP government scheduled to be held today where the CM would speak about the achievements of his government. The decision about the Chief Minister is likely to be announced after that.

“After that, other things, you will come to know,” Yediyurappa said.

However, creating further ambiguity and confusion, BJP President JP Nadda on Sunday said: “He (BS Yediyurappa) has done a good job. He is running Karnataka well. Yediyurappa is handling things on his own. We don’t think there is a political crisis in Karnataka”.

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Crisis And Candidates

The prominent candidates being considered for the post of Chief Minister include Pralhad Joshi, BL Santosh, Lakshman Savadi and Murugesh Nirani, sources said.

Last month, some BJP MLAs had demanded that Yediyurappa must step down as chief minister. State Tourism Minister CP Yogeeshwara in a statement had said that instead of the Chief Minister, his son has been ruling and controlling the Ministries of Karnataka.

BJP MLC AH Vishwanath also said that 80 per cent of BJP legislators, who met the national general secretary in charge of the State Arun Singh, were of the view that leadership in the state should be changed.

The speculations gained momentum as CM Yediyurappa met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday evening. The official reason given for the meet was that it is to discuss “pending development projects” pertaining to the state. After meeting the Prime Minister, he met party president JP Nadda, continuing to deny the speculation of leadership change.

However, he recently began hinting at the possibility and today might be the day where the suspense over the same might end.

Meanwhile, sources in the party said that the BJP functionary in Karnataka will accept if leadership nominates anyone who is not from the Lingayat community as the Chief Minister, but the decision might harm the party’s position in the state. This is an important element as Yediyurappa has a huge support base from the Veerashaiva-Lingayat community and All India Veerashaiva Mahasabha.

“Yeddyurappa Ji is Chief Minister. Yet if anyone gets any chance except the Lingayat community, then everyone will accept it. But it may harm BJP,” news agency ANI quoted a senior BJP leader from Karnataka as saying on a condition of anonymity.

(With inputs from agencies)