Speculation as BS Yediyurappa, son meet PM; to call on Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh too

Vibha Sharma
Tribune News Service
New Delhi, July 16

Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa’s meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi today again sparked off speculation of his exit.

Though the beleaguered CM, who has been at the receiving end by disgruntled BJP leaders, denied any talk of change in leadership. Following his meeting with the PM, the 78-year-old was quoted as saying: “I don’t know anything about leadership change. During my discussion with PM Modi, I requested him to permit to carry out development works in the state”.

Notably, his arrival in Delhi along with his son BY Vijayendra today triggered a speculation about his exit like that of Tirath Singh Rawat, former Uttarakhand CM. However, pointing towards a photograph of the meeting (where both leaders can be seen smiling), BJP leaders played down the chances of any such move.

Meanwhile, Yediyurappa said he was returning to Bengaluru tomorrow. While in Delhi, he is expected to meet senior BJP leaders, including Rajnath Singh and Amit Shah.

BJP’s state in-charge Arun Singh, during his last visit to the state, had told the warring MLAs to refrain from commenting on the party’s affairs in the open, warning action against any violation of party discipline. Sources say much of the anger against the CM stems from alleged interference in the administration by his son BY Vijayendra.

They add that the BJP leadership understands that continued restiveness may damage its prospects in the 2023 poll but to remove Yediyurappa is not so easy even though he is well past the unofficial 75-year age policy for ministers.