New Delhi/Bangalore: Twenty four hours after he was indicted for accepting kickbacks from a mining company, BS Yeddyurappa has agreed to resign as Chief Minister of Karnataka. His party, the BJP, said that it made a "unanimous" decision this morning that he has to make way for a new leader. The BJP said it expected Mr Yeddyurappa to abide by its decision. He spent most of the day demonstrating the opposite. A meeting at his house drew eight ministers and 24 other senior BJP leaders; it telegraphed Mr Yeddyurappa's grip over the party in his state.But at 5.30 pm, Mr Yeddyurappa, the BJP's only Chief Minister in the South, told party president Nitin Gadkari he will respect the party's order. He has agreed to resign on July 31.
On Friday, Arun Jaitley and Rajnath Singh will travel from Delhi to Bangalore as observers while MLAs select the new Chief Minister. Mr Yeddyurappa, sources say, is likely to go on an extensive tour of temples.
On Friday, Arun Jaitley and Rajnath Singh will travel from Delhi to Bangalore as observers while MLAs select the new Chief Minister. Mr Yeddyurappa, sources say, is likely to go on an extensive tour of temples.
The party will provide him an honourable exit by picking a successor with his approval. Safe passage will also be offered via a replacement who has not in the past been a vocal critic of Mr Yeddyurappa, who has survived multiple coup attempts by factions opposed to him.
Mr Yeddyurappa was "advised to resign immediately" said his party after a senior-level meeting at Mr Gakdari's home this morning. In Bangalore, emissaries travelled through the day between different powers of centre of the BJP - an exercise to gauge whether Mr Yeddyurappa stood a fighting chance. His message to Delhi was clear - the corruption charges against him are not new and not proven.
Karnataka's Lokayukta or ombudsman - Santosh Hegde - indicted his family and him of accepting kickbacks from a mining company. Mr Hegde presented yesterday a report on illegal mining that also faults other politicians. They include the Reddy brothers - Janardhana and Karunakara - who are members of Mr Yeddyurappa's Cabinet, and mining barons from Bellary. Mr Hedge has recommended that Mr Yeddyurappa and others be prosecuted under the Prevention of Corruption Act.
What may have forced Mr Yeddyurappa's hand was the Reddys' decision late this afternoon to follow the central BJP's lead. "We, including the Reddy brothers, abide by the decision of the party high command for change of leadership in the state," said Health Minister B Sriramulu, who has also been named in Mr Hedge's expansive report. It's not yet clear whether the Reddys will be sacked by the BJP.
Karnataka's Lokayukta or ombudsman - Santosh Hegde - indicted his family and him of accepting kickbacks from a mining company. Mr Hegde presented yesterday a report on illegal mining that also faults other politicians. They include the Reddy brothers - Janardhana and Karunakara - who are members of Mr Yeddyurappa's Cabinet, and mining barons from Bellary. Mr Hedge has recommended that Mr Yeddyurappa and others be prosecuted under the Prevention of Corruption Act.
What may have forced Mr Yeddyurappa's hand was the Reddys' decision late this afternoon to follow the central BJP's lead. "We, including the Reddy brothers, abide by the decision of the party high command for change of leadership in the state," said Health Minister B Sriramulu, who has also been named in Mr Hedge's expansive report. It's not yet clear whether the Reddys will be sacked by the BJP.
