‘Not at all’: Yediyurappa rubbishes speculation over his resignation
: Karnataka chief minister BS Yediyurappa, who was on a two-day visit to the national Capital amid speculation of leadership change in the state, reiterated on Saturday that reports of his resignation have “no truth”.
“Not at all. Not at all,” the 78-year-old leader told reporters in Delhi, when asked if he has resigned from the post of CM and added that he would be returning to the capital city next month.
“The central leaders have asked me to continue as chief minister and strengthen the party.it is our duty to follow their instructions from time to time.there is no question of leadership change,” Yediyurappa was quoted as saying by news agency PTI, in Bengaluru.
The chief minister arrived in New Delhi on a special flight with his son Vijayendra on Friday evening, and has since met Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union home minister Amit Shah, Union defence minister Rajnath Singh and ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Jagat Prakash Nadda.
Laughing off suggestions of a leadership change in the state, the senior leader tossed the question back to reporters. “I don’t know of any rumour about leadership change. You tell me?”
The chief minister said he is seeking cooperation from central leadership on the Mekedatu project, among other state projects. “I requested the Prime
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Minister to facilitate early implementation of some state works. He has agreed for all,” he added.
The CM also called on Rajnath Singh. “It was a pleasure meeting Defence Minister Shri Rajnath Singh ji in New Delhi today. We talked over various issues including indigenous aerospace and defence manufacturing ecosystem in Karnataka,” he tweeted after the meeting.
The chief minister’s meetings come at a time when the cloud of uncertainty looms large over his continuing in his post for the remainder of the two-year term.
Meanwhile, conflicting reports have emerged about the possibility of a leadership change in the state. Yediyurappa is not stepping down, nor has he been asked to, said a person close to the CM on Saturday. “He (Yediyurappa) told reporters on record that he will be back in the capital in the first week of August with a longer wish list for the state,” added the person.
A senior Cabinet minister in Karnataka, however, said Yediyurappa would be replaced soon. “When he visits New Delhi next time, he will hand over the charge. This is happening in a smooth and amicable manner.”