New Delhi, Jul 17 (IANS): Amid rumours of his resignation, Karnataka chief minister B.S. Yediyurappa on Saturday said it is not true at all.
On Friday, Yediyurappa arrived in Delhi for two days' visit and met Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the same day.
After meeting with the Prime Minister, there was speculation that he has offered to resign.
When asked about change of gaurd in Karnataka ahead of his meeting with BJP Chief J.P. Nadda on Saturday, Yediyurappa termed it rumours and said, "These are all rumours. Yesterday I met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and discussed about development of the state. I am coming back to Delhi in the first week of the next month. There is no value for such news."
When asked, has he resigned? Yediyurappa said, "Not at all, not at all."
Today, Yediyurappa also met BJP chief Nadda and after the meeting once again denied any talk of his resignation. He will also be meeting Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
Sources in the saffron camp, however, said that Yediyurappa has offered to resign and his days in office are numbered.
On Friday after meeting Prime Minister, Yediyurappa, however, had said that he is not aware of a change of leadership in the state.
"I don't know about it. You (media) must tell me," Yediyurappa had said.
Karnataka chief minister's visit to New Delhi came in the backdrop of growing voices against him in the state unit. "There are lots of opposition within the party against the chief minister and the issue is likely to be discussed in the meeting between Yediyurappa and central leadership. There are words doing the rounds that change of leadership is likely to take place in Karnataka," a party functionary said.
Recently, BJP national general secretary and Karnataka in-charge, Arun Singh had visited the state and had met party's MLAs. Singh had said that the chief minister had the support of the party leadership and the Yediyurappa government is doing good work.
BJP High Command sends out subtle 'go' message to K'taka CM: Sources
Even as Yediyurappa insisted on Saturday morning that all is well, speculation is rife that he is likely to go. According to sources, the BJP high command has sent a subtle but clear message to Yediyurappa, who is presently touring Delhi.
Despite Yediyurappa being adamant on his stance to complete his tenure, BJP high command is insisting that he should make way for the new chief minister in the interest of the party, they said.
In view of the absence of a mass leader in the party and Yediyurappa's stronghold on Lingayat votes, the BJP high command is treading cautiously in ensuring the smooth process of change of leadership in Karnataka.
The message that he should be resigning from the post has already been conveyed to Yediyurappa. The party top brass is offering plum posts to his sons -- B.Y. Raghavendra, an MP and B.Y. Vijayendra at national and state levels, sources added.
Yediyurappa might resign by August and a new chief minister will take charge in Karnataka, the source added. The negotiation with him has started and the process will take some time. The BJP high command is in no hurry to replace him. It wants Lingayat support base to remain intact, sources say.
The names of cabinet ministers Basavaraj Bommai and Murugesh Nirani are doing the rounds for the post of chief minister. The name of BJP MLA Aravinda Bellad is also on the list, sources added.