After much speculation, the inevitable finally happened as BS Yediyurappa on Monday stepped down from the office of Karnataka Chief Minister. The resignation comes two years after Yediyurappa assumed the CM chair and he is expected to meet the governor in the evening to finalise the process. The dissent brewing in the party against Yediyurappa forced the party high command to issue the marching order and it is expected that Union Minister Pralhad Joshi could be named his successor in the coming days.
Taking to Twitter, Yediyurappa posted an emotional farewell note and thanked the people of the state, PM, the BJP chief and Amit Shah, “It has been an honour to have served the state for the past two years. I have decided to resign as the Chief Minister of Karnataka. I am humbled and sincerely thank the people of the state for giving me the opportunity to serve them. I am grateful to PM Narendra Modi Ji, JP Nadda Ji & Amit Shah Ji for their support,”
It has been an honour to have served the state for the past two years. I have decided to resign as the Chief Minister of Karnataka. I am humbled and sincerely thank the people of the state for giving me the opportunity to serve them. (1/2)
— B.S.Yediyurappa (Modi Ka Parivar) (@BSYBJP) July 26, 2021
As reported by TFI, the speculation regarding Yediyurappa’s resignation had started to gain pace last month after the former CM 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.
He had said, “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,”
However, After Yediyurappa’s statements started making waves on social media platforms, Union minister Pralhad Joshi came issued a statement 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.
Read More: With Yediyurappa’s changed tune, it’s almost certain that Karnataka is getting a new Chief Minister
With sufficient time left for the next elections, political pundits have thrown their weight behind Pralhad Joshi as the next face of the Karnataka BJP. Joshi is a Brahmin and is also the current Union Minister of Coal, Mines and Parliamentary Affairs of India. He holds the position of Member of Parliament in the Lok Sabha since 2004 and has enjoyed the power of State President from 2014 to 2016.
As a former President of the party in Karnataka, he enjoys the trust of BJP’s high command. The different factions that had grown weary of Yediyruppa’s tenure might just rally behind him and start the rebuilding process. Replacing the towering Lingayat leader might be a difficult proposition but Joshi appears to be the right choice for the challenge.