Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa on Sunday stated that he would resign from the post the day the party high command asks him to quit. “I will resign the day party high command asks me to quit. I do not speak about the rumours and the speculation created by some of the ministers and legislator,” he said while speaking to the mediapersons after paying a floral tribute to late former CM D. Devaraj Urs at Vidhana Soudha.
“High command has given me the opportunity; I am trying to utilise it and I am trying to serve the people. I do not want to comment on the rumours of whoever speaks against me. If my high command wants me to resign, I will resign. I am myself involved working for the development of the state,” he added.
Yediyurappa further said that he will be the Chief Minister till the high command shows confidence in him. “I do not feel that there is no alternate leadership in BJP in Karnataka. There are many leaders who are capable,” he said.
State Tourism Minister C.P. Yogeeshwara, senior BJP leader and former Union Minister Basangouda Patil Yatnal and MLA from BJP Hubli, Aravind Bellad along with several BJP leaders have been making statements against Yediyurappa and demanded a leadership change in Karnataka. On several MLAs and ministers demanding his resignation, the CM said, “I do not want to talk about any issues related to the complaint against me to high command and letters written against me to the high command by some of the MLAs and the ministers.”Yogeeshwara had said that the Chief Minister is not ruling, however, his son is ruling and controlling the Ministries of Karnataka.
Meanwhile, Karnataka Deputy CM C.N. Ashwathnarayan spoke in favour of the Chief Minister. he said, “There is no question of him stepping down. No such discussions are happening. He only made a statement that he is willing to abide by whatever decision the party takes as he is a disciplined soldier of the party.” BJP national general secretary C.T. Ravi on Saturday clarified that Yediyurappa will continue as the Chief Minister. “We do not have any such ideas to bring down Yediyurappa from the Chief Minster’s post and we have unanimously selected him as the Chief Minister. Rumours must be set aside,” he said.