K'taka CM dismisses rumours about his resignation

New Delhi: Amid strong rumours of Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa having offered to quit, the 79-year-old BJP veteran on Saturday dismissed this speculation as "not at all true", and said he has been asked to strengthen the party in the state.

He also said the BJP leadership has asked him to ensure the development of the party and that it wins all upcoming elections.

While assembly elections in Karnataka are slated in 2023, Lok Sabha polls will be held in 2024.

Yediyurappa met BJP president J P Nadda, and Union ministers and senior party leaders Amit Shah and Rajnath Singh on Friday, a day after meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The meetings come at a time political circles are abuzz with speculation of Yediyurappa being replaced as the chief minister.

He said that discussions during these meetings revolved around developing and strengthening the BJP in Karnataka before elections and ensuring the party comes back to power in the state.

"We discussed about the development of the party in the state. He asked me to give special emphasis on bringing the BJP back to power in Karnataka. The same was told by the Prime Minister also. A detailed discussion happened," Yediyurappa said after his meeting with the BJP president.

He said that these are the responsibilities Nadda has given him.

Yediyurappa said that his meeting with Defence Minister Singh was on similar lines and added that Shah told him: "We will win cent per cent in Uttar Pradesh, and in Karnataka, there is bright future, and we are with you."

"He (Shah) has asked us to work hard in Karnataka and ensure winning more seats in Lok Sabha elections. He has asked me to take responsibility of strengthening the party in Karnataka (Shah said) our blessings are with you," the Chief Minister said after meeting the Union Home minister. Earlier, talking to reporters at the Karnataka Bhavan here, Yediyurappa dismissed rumours about his resignation, saying there is no truth in these rumours.

"Not at all. Not at all," Yediyurappa said when asked if he has resigned.

On his meeting with Nadda, he said: "I've discussed in detail about the development of the party in the state and the country."

"He has given so many instructions to me. He has a good about opinion about me. I'll work for the party and come back to power again in Karnataka," Yediyurappa said.

On the resignation issue, he said there is no question of hiding it. That situation has not yet come, the Chief Minister said.

Following his meetings with Nadda and Singh, he took a break and enjoyed a plate of idlis and vadas along with coffee at the Sagar Ratna restaurant at Hotel Ashoka near the Karnataka Bhavan.