Yediyurappa to exit soon? Will know by evening, says the CM

Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa on Sunday said that the BJP high command would tell him whether or not he will be continuing as chief minister by evening even as political developments suggest his exit is imminent.

Yediyurappa was in Belagavi to visit the flood-affected areas.

Speaking to reporters at the airport, he said by the time he reached Bengaluru in the evening, the message from the party's top brass will be received.

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The CM will be reviewing the situation at Sankeshwar town in Hukkeri, Yamgarni, Kidni villages in Nippani taluk will be reviewed.

The government headed by Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa completes two years in office on Sunday and the writing on the wall suggests that he is spending his last days in office. Earlier this week, Yediyurappa dropped hints that he is on his way out.

The past two years have been a political roller-coaster for the 78-year-old leader, who has had to fight dissidence within the party.

To a question on pontiffs holding a mega conclave in Bengaluru Sunday, which is seen as expressing solidarity with him, he said, "there is no need for pontiffs to hold any meet, I have confidence in PM Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP national President J P Nadda."

Questioned about a Dalit Chief Minister replacing him, Yediyurappa said, "I'm not the one to decide about it, it is for the high command to decide. Let's first see what decision they will take today..." Asked whether he was satisfied with his work for two years, he said, "if you are satisfied that's enough for me."

Indicating that Monday might be his last day in office, Yediyurappa had recently said that based on the instructions that the central leaders will give him on July 25, he will get on with "his work" from July 26. His government will complete two years in office on July 26. Meanwhile, scores of pontiffs are expected to participate in a "maga conclave" to be held on Sunday, coinciding with the possible decision by the BJP central leadership on his exit. Dingaleshwar Swamiji of Balehosur mutt, who had held a press meet on July 23 to inform about the conclave with other Swamijis, had refused to connect the event directly with the possible leadership change, but it is being widely seen as an attempt to muster support to Yediyurappa and send out a message.

Yediyurappa is in flood and rain ravaged Belagavi district to review the relief and rescue operation there. Noting that he will be visiting people affected by rains and floods, the Chief Minister said after visiting some affected villages and analysing the situation there, he will be heading back to Bengaluru.

"By the god's grace, rains have receded both yesterday and today and if the situation continues in the same way for the next couple of days, I'm confident that things will come under control," he said, adding that rains receding in Maharashtra is a good sign.

(With PTI inputs)