Waiting for signal; BJP chief says ‘no crisis’: Karnataka CM BS Yediyurappa

BENGALURU: A day before completing two years in office, BS Yediyurappa said on Sunday that he was still waiting for a signal from the party leadership on his future as chief minister of Karnataka and stressed that he will not breach the party line.
Even as suspense ruled the day, BJP president JP Nadda, in Goa, said: “Yediyurappa has done good work and his government is functioning well. We don’t see any political crisis in Karnataka.”
“I have not received any message till now (6pm). It may come tonight or tomorrow morning,” the CM said after a survey of the flood-affected Belagavi district.
No signal from BJP brass, the suspense continues
“I’ll do as the party says: Will continue or resign (depending on the advice) and start working for the party,” the CM said after returning to Bengaluru from Belagavi.
Yediyurappa, 78, said he would take a decision on his own if the party didn’t send any message even on Monday.
Earlier in the day, the CM had said he was expecting a message from the party by 5pm Sunday on the road ahead.
Whether he would meet governor Thaawarchand Gehlot on Monday afternoon after attending the second anniversary of his government, the CM said: “You will know about the ensuing developments.”
Union minister for law and parliamentary affairs Pralhad Joshi, among the frontrunners to replace Yediyurappa, arrived in Bengaluru from Dharwad on Sunday and later cancelled his flight ticket to New Delhi. While this fuelled speculation of a likely change in leadership, mines and geology minister Murgush Nirani, another contender, landed in the national capital.
BJP national general secretary CT Ravi, in the race for the CM’s post, said in Goa that the party had given Yediyurappa “all kinds of opportunities” and added that the party has many deserving candidates, suggesting a change was imminent.