Following his recent visit to the capital and discussions with top party officials, including the Prime Minister, speculation over BS Yediyurappa’s impending successor reached a fever pitch. Even Karnataka’s chief minister, who had previously denied such a possibility, has stated that he is awaiting the high command’s decision on the topic.
The question on people’s thoughts and political watchers’ minds is whether or not Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa will be re-elected. What matters most is what happens to the BJP’s political prospects in the state.
Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa stated on Sunday that he will make an appropriate judgement about his future in the office once he receives instructions from the BJP high command this evening.
“By the evening, you will hear about it, and whenever it comes, I will make a suitable judgement,” Yediyurappa said in answer to a question on whether the party’s high command in Delhi would issue directions today.
When asked about the possibility of a Dalit Chief Minister succeeding him, Yediyurappa responded, “It is not up to me to make the decision; it is up to the high command. First, let’s see what decision they make today…”
The latest round of speculation and public jousting about chief minister B.S. Yediurappa’s future as the leadership of the state government has left the party in a difficult position.
There is no questioning Yediyurappa’s importance in the BJP’s win in the state of Karnataka. Unfazed by the difficulties of battling for political space in a field dominated by the Congress and the Janata parivaar at the time, Yediyurappa led the BJP from the front – on the streets, in the Legislature, and everywhere else.
The entire procedure, however, took about fifty years, and Yediyurappa is no longer in his prime. He is three years past the BJP’s unofficial age restriction for official positions, which is 78 years old. This is compounded by allegations of corruption and nepotism that are levelled at him on a regular basis.
Yediyurappa, for one, has been making the proper political noises. Without going into detail, he has stated that he will follow the party’s directives. The party’s high command, on the other hand, is keeping a deliberate silence for the time being.
The four-time chief minister, ironically, has never served a complete five-year term in office. On July 26, his government will finish two years in office.
In an apparent hint that Monday could be his last day in office, Yediyurappa recently stated that he will begin “his work” on July 26 based on the instructions that the central leaders will give him on July 25.
As a result, all eyes are on Karnataka’s chief minister. Will he, or will he not, this time? Only Yediurappa has the answers right now.
