Karnataka: Governor dissolves council of ministers headed by Yediyurappa

Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and Karnataka BJP in-charge Arun Singh are likely to be two central observers for Karnataka to appoint BSY's successor

Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa said he would resign today—the second anniversary of his government—as he spoke in the state assembly about his tenure 

"I will resign after lunch," he said in a tearful speech in which he talked about the "trial by fire" he had faced as chief minister.

"Don't take me otherwise, with your permission... I have decided that after lunch I will go to the Raj Bhavan and submit my resignation as the Chief Minister to the Governor," said 78-year-old Yediyurappa.

"Not out of grief, but with happiness," he said, as he thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP National President J P Nadda.

Karnataka Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot accepted Yediyurappa's resignation and asked him to continue as caretaker CM till the next CM takes oath. Gehlot dissolved the Council of Ministers headed by Yediyurappa with immediate effect.

Yediyurappa termed his tenure for two years as "trial by fire", recalling that he had to run the administration without cabinet in the initial days, followed by devastating floods and coronavirus among other issues.

The media has been reporting about Yediyurappa’s exit for months now: there was resentment against him and his son, NDTV reported. Yediyurappa suddenly flew to Delhi by chartered flight earlier this month to meet with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other BJP leaders.

After that meeting, Yediyurappa said he had not been asked to resign but later said he was ready to go if he was asked to.

Yediyurappa has been chief minister for four terms. He is the BJP's first and only chief minister in the south.

Stating that nobody pressurised him to resign, Yediyurappa said he had stepped down so that somebody else could take over as chief minister after the successful completion of two years of the BJP-led state government.

Ahead of the 2023 Karnataka Assembly polls, Yediyurappa assured that he shall work to bring the party back to power in the upcoming polls.

Speaking to reporters after submitting his resignation, Yediyurappa said, "Nobody pressurised me to resign. I did it on my own so that someone else can take over as CM after the completion of two years of government. I'll work to bring BJP back in power in the next election. I've not given the name of anyone who should succeed me."

He also assured that he and his supporters shall give their 100 per cent to whoever is the next Chief Minister.

"We will work under whoever has been selected as the new CM by the (BJP) high command. I will give my 100 per cent and my supporters will also give their 100 per cent. There is no need to make any inference of dissatisfaction," said Yediyurappa.

Stating that he decided to resign two days back, Yediyurappa said, "I am grateful to PM Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah & BJP chief JP Nadda for giving me the opportunity to serve Karnataka for two years. I also thank the people of Karnataka and my constituency."

Meanwhile, sources said that the BJP will appoint central observers to Karnataka soon. The Central and the state party leadership will discuss the next face for the CM post, they added.

Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and Karnataka BJP in-charge Arun Singh are likely to be two central observers for Karnataka, sources told ANI.