Over the last few weeks, there have been numerous speculative reports about the impending resignation of Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa. The rumours had gained momentum after the BJP leader met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi earlier this month, with some indicating that he would resign as the state government finished two years of its term.
But as Yediyurappa completes two years as the Chief Minister today, the road ahead remains a tad murky. There had been no official confirmation of the exit claims, with the CM having previously laughed off the suggestion. "I have decided that I will work till the very last minute. I already said two months ago that I was ready to resign whenever I was asked to. I will say it again - until now I have got no message from the centre. As soon as it comes, if they ask me to continue I will. If not, I will resign and work for that party," he said on Sunday.
Thus far, he insisted, no message had come in seeking his resignation. But as the administration celebrates the two year mark with a programme, he does not seem to be dismissing the murmurs completely. Yediyurappa, who had previously said that the decision was up to the party and BJP president JP Nadda, opined that "the information will come" by Monday morning.
Messages from various party leaders however indicate that there will be no change in leadership. “Yediyurappa ji has done good work. Karnataka is being run well. He is taking care of things in his own way,” Nadda said recently. The BJP leadership, he indicated, did not feel there was a leadership crisis in the state.
"I congratulate BS Yediyurappa Ji for completing two years as Chief Minister today. He has done good work. He will continue to guide Karnataka and BJP," said BJP General Secretary CT Ravi on Monday. Asked about the purported change of CM, he said that while it was being reported in the media, he couldn't say much on the matter.
(With inputs from agencies)
