BSY to be replaced?

Speculation is rife in the corridors of power in Karnataka that Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa may be replaced by the party high command.

Some senior ministers and MLAs have openly admitted that attempts are being made to replace Yediyurappa. Revenue Minister R Ashoka, a Yediyurappa loyalist, admitted that he was aware of such activities in New Delhi. “We know that some people are trying to stop oxygen supply to the current government. But, we’re ensuring uninterrupted supply of oxygen,” he added.

The move against BSY comes amid reports that several BJP MLAs held meetings in small groups in Bengaluru, Hubballi and other places over the past few days to discuss leadership change. The MLAs, who attended these meetings, claimed that the party high command has reportedly directed the chief minister to convene a legislature party meeting after June 7, the last day of the lockdown to start the process.

The talk is that someone young and acceptable to the general public, cutting across caste considerations, is being considered by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union minister Amit Shah.

Meanwhile, Yediyurappa has rubbished reports of his replacement. “Just because someone went somewhere, it does not mean anything. They have been given an appropriate response,” he said, referring to two BJP leaders reportedly camping in Delhi hoping to meet the BJP high command.

What triggered speculation of BSY’s replacement was that Tourism Minister CP Yogeeshwara and legislator Arvind Bellad visited Delhi armed with complaints from several legislators against Yediyurappa’s handling of the Covid crisis. Several leaders have been complaining that they have not been able to meet the CM for over a year. Other complaints include centralisation of all decisions, increasing interference of Yediyurappa’s family members and corruption.