CM Yediyurappa’s exit ‘should be graceful and beautiful’

Despite rumours regarding Karnataka CM BS Yediyurappa stepping down, there is no danger to his position at present, even as the party is willing to cross the bridge when it comes to promoting new leadership in the state, said people aware of the matter.

Yediyurappa was in Delhi last week to meet senior BJP leaders, a visit that sparked rumours that he would have to resign to make way for a new line of leadership. However, on Sunday, the central leadership told state leaders not to make any statement regarding change of guard in Karnataka. Yediyurappa himself denied any possibility of him stepping down.

“The CM hadn’t met the party MLAs for a long time. The leadership has communicated to him to meet the leaders. The meeting has been called for that,” a Karnataka BJP leader told ET. “He is the most senior leader of the party and is of the same league as PM Modi. His exit, whenever it happens, should not only be graceful but beautiful,” said a Karnataka-based party leader.

The anti-BSY faction in the state, however, termed it a victory of their appeals to the party high command.