The political power play in the southern state of Karnataka is taking a new turn. Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa on Sunday (June 6) remarked that he was ready to resign if BJP high command asked him to, but until then, he will continue to serve as the state CM.
“I don’t want to comment on anything. But until the Delhi command believes in my abilities, I will continue as CM. On the day when they ask me to resign, I will resign on that day and will start working for the development of the state,” said Yediyurappa.
Numerous rebellion factions have emerged against the septuagenarian leader since the cabinet expansion earlier this year and it has put pressure on the leader to drop the towel. The alleviation of few turncoat leaders to the top cabinet positions has caused chaos within the party. When asked about rebellion in BJP ranks against him, Yediyurappa said that he didn’t want to criticise anybody.
“I don’t want to criticize anybody. I won’t accept there are no alternative leaders in the party. Until the party trusts me, I will continue to be in power,” added Yediyurappa.
After Yediyurappa’s statements started making waves on the social media platforms, Union minister Pralhad Joshi came out to arrest the slide and ruled out “any intention” of replacing him as the CM at present.
“He is doing a good job amid the Covid crisis and despite his age. He has expressed loyalty to the party and said he would obey the high command’s order. Yediyurappa never said he would resign and go home. Instead, he just meant he would abide by any decision taken by the (party) high command,” said the minister.
Last year, Yediyurappa earned the wrath of his party members when his aggressive push for his son Vijayenndra to assume greater responsibilities within the party caused serious ramifications.
As reported by TFI, in an alleged unsigned letter, believed to be written by disgruntled BJP MLAs, Yediyurappa was given the stick.“Vijayendra is the de facto CM, super CM. Vijayendra has overseen the appointment of officials in every ministry. He is running the administration instead of his father,” the letter read.
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Armed with fighting dissent within the party ranks and simultaneously lead the state against a raging pandemic, in which the Karnataka government’s response has been dodgy at best, Yediyurappa is fast losing out on favour. The CM could have directly conveyed his response to the party high command but instead, he chose to go out in public, further cementing the fact that a change was imminent in the Karnataka government and that Yediyurappa was playing the last roll of dice.