Hours after BS Yediyurappa resigned from the post of Karnataka Chief Minister, Opposition party leader and former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah termed him as the “most corrupt chief minister” and said that the resignation was expected.
While speaking in North Karnataka the former CM said that there is no loss to Karnataka with the resignation of BS Yediyurappa, neither is there any benefit in the arrival of a new CM. “Yediyurappa’s own ministers and MLAs had complained about his leadership. We, as the Opposition party, saying he (Yediyurappa) is corrupt is different, but here their (BJP) own party members calling Yediyurappa corrupt is an issue. When their own party MLA and minister complained about his corruption, not even the BJP high command took action.” Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) President DK Shivakumar said.
Indian National Congress tweeted, “Resignation of Shri Yediyurappa as Karnataka CM is both a testament to the flagrant corruption carried out by BJP in the state and proof that PM Modi’s slogans like “na khaunga, na khane dunga” are merely catchy phrases, not promises he can uphold.” General Secretary of Indian National Congress, Randeep Singh Surjewala, in a series of tweets, accused the BJP of habitually insulting and throwing the “senior BJP Leaders in (the) dustbin of history”.
Minister for Health and Family Welfare and Medical Education, Dr Sudhakar K, said that the resignation was a surprise for him. He (Yediyurappa) told me that he may receive a favourable decision from the high command by July 26. But we all have to abide by the norms of the party. He is only quitting CM post, not active politics,” Sudhakar added.
Not just the politicians, actress Pranitha Subhash also reacted to Yediyurappa’s resignation and said that it would leave a “huge void” in Karnataka politics.
Srivatsa YB, an Indian Youth Congress leader, in a tweet, said, “Yediyurappa cried on stage while announcing his resignation. He is the only BJP mass leader in Karnataka.”
After BS Yediyurappa submitted his resignation, BJP workers in Shikaripura in Shivamogga district, raised slogans and expressed solidarity to the outgoing CM. Shikaripura in the constituency Yediyurappa has been representing seven times. Traders and shop owners in Shikaripura voluntarily shut down their business establishments as the BJP supporters staged a demonstration in the town. Roads were deserted as Yediyurappa’s supporters hit the streets raising slogans and put up his cut-outs. The workers also denounced the BJP leaders for compelling the Lingayat strongman to resign without allowing him to complete his term.
Earlier on Monday afternoon, Yediyurappa had handed over his resignation to Governor Thawar Chant Gehlot. Stepping out of the meeting with the Governor, Yediyurappa said that the party leaders will decide who the next CM will be. After the resignation of BS Yediyurappa, on Monday BJP national general secretary and Karnataka in-charge Arun Singh declined a comment saying that the decision is left to the party’s parliamentary board and legislature party.
Also Read :Karnataka: Change of guard imminent as CM Yediyurappa resigns
