Bhaskar Exclusive: Karnataka CM Yediyurappa turns down Bengal Governor’s offer, will resign on his own terms after July 26

Karnataka Chief Minister Yediyurappa met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi on July 16. This sudden meeting has fueled speculation about Yeddyurappa’s resignation. Actually, there is a tremendous contribution of some other things behind giving wind to this news. E.g. Yeddyurappa’s age, rising Karnataka leader and old Sanghi BL Santhosh’s displeasure over Yeddyurappa and MP Shobha Karandlaje joining the Modi cabinet. Shobha active in Yediyurappa’s camp becoming a minister at the center is a big sign.

If sources are to be believed, Yediyurappa himself has offered to resign, but has also made a complaint with this offer. In fact, some leaders of Karnataka active in Delhi politics are playing a special role in keeping some people active in Yeddyurappa’s cabinet. These people constantly target Yeddyurappa. According to sources, Delhi leaders have assured Yeddyurappa to continue in the post for a short time, but Yedi will not be able to maintain his happiness for long.

Yediyurappa said – talks were held on the development of Karnataka
CM Yediyurappa also met Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP National President JP Nadda on Saturday. Then his tone changed, he clearly said, ‘The question of resignation does not arise now. On Friday, I also met the Prime Minister and we discussed in detail the development of the state. Although the old players of politics know that now only a few overs are left. The incident in Delhi only says that the departure from the pitch is probably certain, the question is only for some time. If sources are to be believed, he has been assured by the high command that he can celebrate his two-year rule on July 26.

Bengal Governor’s offer not acceptable
If sources are to be believed, Yediyurappa was also offered the post of Governor in West Bengal, but Yediyurappa clearly told Prime Minister Modi that you should resign if you want, but the post of Governor is not acceptable in West Bengal. Actually, Yediyurappa does not want to retire from Karnataka politics until he gets his son declared as the chief ministerial candidate.

BJP has no alternative to Yeddyurappa in Karnataka
Assembly elections are due in Karnataka in 2023. The question is, why is the BJP keeping Yedi as the CM in the age of the guide? Actually, the alternative of 78-year-old Yeddyurappa is not present with the BJP. Yedi is a strong leader of Lingayat caste. He is a fan of Karnataka politics. At present, the leader of his stature is not even with the Congress or any other party. Therefore, Yeddyurappa’s support will be needed even if the BJP removes him from the post and makes someone else the chief minister. If Yediyurappa cuts his throat from the BJP, then the BJP may also have to bear its loss in the state.

Yeddyurappa has already shown his political status
Yediyurappa resigned from the BJP on 31 July 2011. On 30 November 2012, he formed his own party named Karnataka Janata Paksha. In fact, Yediyurappa’s move was led by the Lokayukta’s investigation into the illegal mining case. Yeddyurappa’s name came up in this investigation. The BJP had to bear the loss for this. Yediyurappa again joined the BJP in 2014.

After this, during the political drama in Karnataka in 2018, he became the Chief Minister for the first two and a half days and left power after an emotional speech. Then again in 2019, the process of becoming the Chief Minister by proving majority had also increased Yeddyurappa’s stature in front of the high command.

BJP Sanghi leaders don’t like Yeddyurappa
The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh had brought in a lot of humiliation for Yeddyurappa’s name in the Lokayukta probe into illegal mining in Karnataka and then jailed. Yediyurappa is an old worker of the Sangh. That is the reason why BJP Sanghi leaders who are associated with Karnataka do not like Yeddyurappa. The Sangh has to face this stain time and again in Karnataka. BJP’s National General Secretary BL Santosh is also an old worker of the Sangh. The tussle between BL Santhosh and Yediyurappa is well known. MP Tejashwi Surya is special to Santosh and has opened a front against Yeddyurappa.

If not Yeddyurappa, who will be the new CM of Karnataka?
The first name in the race for Chief Minister is Arvind Bellad, MLA from Hubli Dharwad West seat, and the second name is of former Karnataka CM Jagadish Shettar. Presently, Shettar is an MLA from Hubli Rural seat. The third name in this race is of Murgesh Nirani, Minister of Mines and Geology in the Karnataka Government, who was a three-time MLA from Bilgi assembly seat. The fourth name is of Basavaraj Bommai. The flamboyant Lingayat leader is currently the Minister of State for Home Affairs.

Amidst speculation, Prahlad Joshi is believed to be a dark horse
Amidst political speculation, Prahlad Joshi is being considered as a dark horse. Prahlad Joshi is an MP from Dharwad. At the center is the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs. He has also been the state president. After the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, a big victory was rewarded in Karnataka and ministers were made at the center. Joshi is a Brahmin face and is a non-Lingayat. That is why his name is getting less in the casteist political discussion. Yeddyurappa’s meeting with the high command in Delhi has given him a short span of time. Two weeks is enough in politics. It remains to be seen how Yediyurappa stops himself from going to the guide board in August.