Karnataka chief minister BS Yediyurappa has dismissed claims that he has submitted his resigned to PM Modi, saying “there is no value of such news.”
Yediyurappa, denying the claims about his resignation, said, “Not at all… Yesterday I met the PM, we discussed the development of the state and I will come back again in August. There is no value of such news.”
The chief minister had met PM Modi to discuss development projects on Friday, but this was widely seen as a precursor to a change in the state’s leadership.
Recently, the leadership issue was discussed BJP national general secretary and state’s party incharge, Arun Singh’s visit last month. Singh had visited Karnataka when rumours of leadership change were rife in the state.
On Friday, after his meeting with the PM Modi, the chief minister said that they discussed pending state works including the Mekedatu dam project over the Cauvery river.
Karnataka and Tamil Nadu have been in strife over an irrigation project by Karnataka in the Cauvery river at Mekedatu.
When asked if they discussed the possible changes in the state leadership, he replied with a smile, “I don’t know. You have to tell.”
Amid fueling speculations that Yediyurappa will be replaced as the Chief Minister, repeated open remarks were made by several BJP leaders in the state, accusing him and his family of corruption and interference in administration, despite warnings of disciplinary action by the central leadership.
An official statement issued after the meeting said the CM discussed various state issues with the PM. “During the meeting, the CM requested to declare the Upper Bhadra Project as National project and also sought a financial assistance of Rs 6000 crore for Bengaluru Peripheral Ring Road project,” the statement said.
Earlier in June, Yediyurappa had said, “The day they tell me to quit, I will. Then, I will involve myself in working for the welfare of the state.”
