B.ARAVINDA SHETTY

Bengaluru: Believing in astrology and numerology, the Chief Minister B.S.Yediyurappa assured the party high command that he will step down soon after Ashadamasa, an inauspicious month in the Hindu calendar. 

During his meeting with BJP central leaders on July 16 and 17, Mr. Yediyurappa requested them to give him time till August 8 to continue in the CM post. Ashadmasa will end on August 8. Meanwhile, the Chief Minister will complete two years of terms on July 26. 

By the second week of August, Mr. Yediyurappa is likely to submit his resignation and the process of electing a new chief minister will begin. Instead of BJPLP selecting its new legislative party leader, party central leadership will send the name of CM candidate, BJPLP just ratifies the same, sources added. 

According to sources, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Minister and Mines and Geology, Prahlad Joshi, is the frontrunner for the post. 

Read: Will abide by party high command decision: BSY

Too much believing in astrology, the Lingayat strongman has been allowed to continue in CM post till the end of Ashadamasa. However, the party has poured the cold water into BSY’s ambition to hold a function on the occasion of his completing two years term. Party central leadership has rejected his desire to hold function, citing Covid-19. 

Chief Minister will convene BJPLP meeting on July 26, in view of his completion of two years term, this meeting would be a more or less thanksgiving event. Mr. Yediyurappa will offer thanks to his colleagues and party MLAs for reposing faith in him, and he will give a call to MLAs to strengthen the party for the 2023 Assembly elections. 

Will BSY become the Governor? 

Rumours is doing rounds in bjp circle that Mr. Yediyurappa will be appointed as the Governor of Kerala or Telangana. Party will give him an honorable exit by appointing him as the Governor of one of South Indian State. Party central leadership was under the perception that keeping him in Karnataka would encourage power centers. His loyalist MLAs would create trouble for the newly elected Chief Minister, sources added. Thus party would offer him the Governor post. But sources close to Mr. Yediyurappa said that Lingayat strongman will reject such offer, he wants to be active in Karnataka politics, sources added. 

Read:BSY agrees to stepdown with conditions

Mr. Yediyurappa will resign on health grounds, making way to choose a new leader in the party. Party central leadership also assured him that the political future of his sons will be taken care off 

After his meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah, before he leaving to Delhi on July 17, the decks regarding his exit from CM post was cleared. Mr. Shah has assured him that the party would acknowledge his contribution to bringing the BJP government in Karnataka. Shah asked him to work to strengthen party organization in the 2023 Assembly elections. 

Read: Three names shortlisted for CM post: Kateel’s shocking revelations on new Cabinet

Smooth transition power in Karnataka will take place. Party central leadership has entrusted the responsibility to the Chief Minister for smooth transfer of power without giving room for any discontent among his loyalists MLAs.