Yeddyurappa finally relents, will quit today
Source: The Sangai Express / Press Trust of India

Bangalore, July 30 2011: In clear signs that he might finally be relenting, chief minister BS Yeddyurappa has said he would tender his resignation on Sunday, falling in line with the party's directive.

In a signed statement that was read out to the media outside the chief minister's residence by loyalist minister Basavaraj Bommai, Yeddyurappa said he had already issued a statement on Thursday that he would tender his resignation on July 31 following the decision of the party's parliamentary board and instruction from BJP central leaders.

But, he said, despite the statement, "even now, some media are misleading the public that I am not resigning".

"I, hereby, again clarify that I am submitting my resignation on the afternoon of 31-7-2011", he said.

Asked if Yeddyurappa's demands were accepted by the party high-command, water resources minister Bommai said the chief minister had a closed-door meeting with BJP top leaders Arun Jaitley and Rajnath Singh and he does not know what transpired between them.

"..but certainly talks are going on in right way...positive way.

Every thing will be solved", Bommai said in his comments, which are seen as softening of his stand by the cm.

Significantly, a section of ministers and MLAs loyal to Yeddyurappa who were believed to have refused to meet the central leaders to give their opinion on the succession issue earlier in the day, have now changed their mind.

The chief minister's camp had claimed the support of 74 MLAs on Friday, a number which is believed to have dwindled.

Home and transport minister R Ashoka, identified in "anti-Yeddyurappa" camp, told reporters earlier on Saturday: "Those who were there (the cm's camp) on Friday, have come here.

You have seen them" .

It is informed that the outgoing Karnataka chief minister has suggested a list of names to succeed him after the BJP central leadership made it clear on Saturday that he will not be heading the state party unit.

Party sources said the choice for chief minister is still open and negotiations were on between the central observers Arun Jaitley, Rajnath Singh and the Yeddyurappa camp.

The outgoing chief minister, who has now categorically told the central leadership that he will submit his resignation on Sunday, has suggested some names and said as long as a choice is made from this panel he would not object.

Among the front-runners for the chief minister's post are law and justice minister Suresh Kumar S, Udipi MP and former state unit president Sadanand Gowda and higher education minister VS Acharya.

Kumar is said to be a leader with a clean image who is close to the RSS.

However, he is considered a light-weight.

Moreover, he is a Brahmin, a community which is numerically not very strong in Karnataka.

The Central leadership is said to be in two minds about Gowda, a Vokkaliga leader, as he is considered too amiable and hence may not be able to quell any dissenting voices.

He may not be a good administrator either, some in the party feel.

Acharya, a Brahmin, is acceptable to many across the board but is now reportedly losing out in the race, sources said.

The name of Shoba Karandlaje, a close associate of Yeddyurappa, was suggested by some leaders of the party but the chief minister himself is not keen on it.

Hence her name was dropped.

Comment