Karnataka: Yeddyurappa resigns; no consensus yet on next C M

Mangalore Today / PTI

Bangalore, Aug 01:  It has been a tumultuous three-year tenure for BS Yeddyurappa, who resigned as Karnataka Chief Minister on Sunday. And the drama on his final day was a culmination to prove his strength. Mr Yeddyurappa led a padyatra through the crowded city - just like he did when HD Kumaraswamy dumped him 2007 - and the monsoon skies opened with rain pouring down as he entered Raj Bhavan to hand over his resignation.

 

 

"As a disciplined leader of the party, I have stepped down as the Chief Minister. I served as CM for three years and two months; MLAs, MPs gave me full support during this period. I do hope and believe that my successor will also get the same support," he said soon after handing over his resignation to Governor HR Bhardwaj.

Mr Yeddyurappa finally gave in to his party’s directive and resigned but he ensured till the end that his exit does not mean entry for any of his rivals in the party. Sources say the party high command is willing to let Yeddyurappa have a say in who the successor should be. Sadananda Gowda, MP from Udipi is the frontrunner.

"I have named Sadananda Gowda. I do hope the next CM too will get full support like I did from ministers and MLAs," Mr Yeddyurappa said.

The BJP may, for now, be relieved that Yeddyurappa stepped down. But his exit has only made the divide within the Karnataka BJP over the last few days wider - an indication of the factional politics ahead.

Mr Yeddyurappa may have been smiling all day but he knows that his future - politically and legally - is tough. The High Court has given the go-ahead to the Lokayukta to conduct a probe in the land scam. And a copy of the illegal mining report is with the Governor who perhaps is waiting to take action.

The focus is now on whether the next Chief Minister will include in his new Cabinet the all powerful Reddy brothers and the other ministers named in the Lokayukta report.