Bengaluru: The incumbent Chief Minister B.S.Yediyurappa is making a last-minute effort to save his chair by indirectly prompting Lingayat pontiffs to rally behind him. 

Lingayat strongman will be resigned to CM post soon after he completes two years terms at office. After he came from Delhi, the Chief Minister has maintained silence over the change of leadership. He told his loyalist MLAs and ministers that he will abide by the decision taken by the party central leadership, but he refused to divulge much about his discussion with party top leaders at Delhi. 

But more than 30 Lingayat pontiffs have thronged to his residence on Tuesday, openly supported his continuation in CM post. Veerashaiva seers have cautioned the BJP leadership that any attempt to unseat Mr. Yediyurappa from the CM post will be the end of the BJP regime in Karnataka. Dingaleshwar Swamiji of Balehosur Math and others openly warned BJP central leadership not to change Mr. Yediyurappa from CM post. 

Interestingly, Mr.Yediyurappa and his son B.Y. Vijayendra did not stop Lingayat pontiffs from giving open threats to BJP central leadership. Even they have not prevented Lingayat leaders of the Congress party from speaking about BJP internal affairs. 

Read:30 seers extend support to Yediyurappa in Bengaluru

Sources in state bjp said that Mr. Yediyurappa and his son Mr. Vijayendra are making an all-out effort to save the chair by taking help of all corners. Sudden visit of Akhila Bharath Veerashaiva Mahasabha President and veteran Congress leader Shamanuru Shivashankarapp to Chief Minister's residence and backing of another senior leader of Congress, M.B. Patil shows that it was a smart move by the Chief Minister asking two prominent leaders of opposition Congress to speak in his favour. 

Visit of Linagayat pontiffs to his residence has proved that his son B.Y. Vijayendra was behind this ‘arrangements’. Without uttering any word against the party central leadership, Mr. Yediyurappa giving checkmate to party central leadership for its decision of unseating him from CM post. 

Read:BSY likely to stepdown on August 10

Even pontiffs belongs to SC/ST and Kuruba community maths also backed Yediyurappa, requesting BJP central leadership not to change Yediyurappa from CM post.

Meanwhile, state bjp has decided not to react to the statements of Lingayat pontiffs, who have given an open threat to BJP central leadership. However, BJP has criticized M.B. Patil for pocking his nose in the internal affairs of the party. 

BJP senior leader Basanagouda Patil Yatnal slammed Mr. Patil and veteran Congress leader Shamanuru Shivashankarapp for interfering BJP affairs.

BSY cancels BJPLP meeting 

Earlier, he had planned to convene BJPLP meeting on July 26, on the view of his completion of two years tenure. Followed by BJPLP meeting, he arranged the dinner to party MLAs. But sources close to him said that the Chief Minister had canceled the BJPLP meeting anticipating a black clash from party legislators regarding the ‘growing interference’ of his son B.Y.Vijayendra in the administration. 

Read: BJP will be wiped out if BSY unseated: Shamanuru

Notwithstanding the ongoing attempt to save his chair, the BJP central leadership has firm in its stand on leadership change in the state in early August 2021. Sources close to BJP state President Nalin Kumar Kateel said that leadership change in the state is imminent. Citing health reasons, Mr. Yediyurappa will step down from CM post, sources added.