BS Yediyurappa resigns as Karnataka Chief Minister

Tribune News Service
New Delhi, July 26

Ending days of speculation and uncertainty, BS Yediyurappa (78) today stepped down as the Chief Minister of Karnataka. He announced to quit the post after making an emotional speech at a function to mark two years of his government in the Vidhana Soudha.

“Not out of grief, but with happiness,” Yediyurappa said while he thanked PM Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and party president JP Nadda for giving him the opportunity to serve as CM for two years, despite completing 75 years of age. Describing his political journey over the past two years as “agnipariksha” (trial by fire), he talked of various challenges, including running the administration without a Cabinet during the initial days, devastating floods and Covid-19.

He went on to add that no one from the party high command had forced him to resign and that he would continue to work to strengthen the party and bring it back to power.

With Shah holding meetings with Nadda and other leaders, the Bharatiya Janata Party seems to have already begun the process to name Yediyurappa’s successor. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi, one of the contenders, was also present.

The names of some other leaders, including BL Santhosh, CT Ravi, Basavaraj Bommai, Basangouda Patil Yatnal, Laxman Savadi and CN Ashwath Narayan, are also doing the rounds.