Ready to quit, will wait for party decision on Sunday, says Karnataka CM BS Yediyurappa

BENGALURU: Chief minister BS Yediyurappa on Thursday gave enough indications that his exit was imminent and said he’d abide by the BJP central leadership’s decision about his political future.
The 78-year-old Lingayat strongman added that he offered to resign two months ago to make way for others and asserted he won’t name a successor even if asked to do it.

Breaking his silence for the first time amid strong buzz that he would resign on July 26, Yediyurappa said he’s awaiting instructions from the high command on Sunday.
“I haven’t got any message (regarding continuation as CM). It’s my duty to abide by what they (high command) say. I’ll continue as CM as long as they want. Whether in power or not, I’ll continue to tour the state and strengthen the party,’’ he said.
He said he’d continue working as usual. On Friday, he’ll inspect development works like construction of roads and storm water drains in Bengaluru. “I’ll do my duty till the end; let’s see what happens,” the CM said.
He hinted he won’t resist if the high command asks him to resign. He heaped praise on party top brass. “Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Amit Shah and JP Nadda have special love and faith in me. In our party, those over 75 years are not given any post. However, appreciating my work, they gave me an opportunity to serve as chief minister,’’ he said.
The change in tone —from ‘nobody has asked me to resign and I will continue as CM’ to ‘I will abide by high command’s decision’ — indicates he’ll go soon.
Asked whether a fellow Lingayat should succeed him, he said, “I won’t put any such pressure. Why are you coming to such decisions so soon? Who should be made (the next CM) is left to the central leadership. I’m not naming anyone, there is no need for it.”
He said there would be a special programme on June 26, the day he completes two years in office. “We’ll release a booklet on development works taken up during the past two years. I’ll tell people about my achievements,” he said. In New Delhi, BJP national general secretary incharge of Karnataka Arun Singh, who had denied leadership change and said Yediyurappa would continue in office for the full term in Bengaluru last month, ducked the question about leadershipchange. “I’ll discuss it some other time over a cup of tea,’’ he told reporters.
Yediyurappa’s son and Shivamogga MP BY Raghavendra said: “The party has given my father everything. He’ll abide by the high command’s decision."
there was speculation rebel Congress-JDS MLAs, who had defected to become ministers in Yediyurappa’s cabinet, would resign to extend him support. Some later spiked such talk. “These are baseless reports,’’ said agriculture minister BC Patil.