'Will abide by high command directions': Yediyurappa on future as Karnataka CM

BENGALURU: Amid talk of leadership change in Karnataka, chief minister B S Yediyurappa said on Thursday that the BJP high command will give a direction on July 25 and he would abide by it.
Breaking his silence for the first time amid heightened buzz that his exit was on the cards, Yediyurappa said: "Based on the instructions that the central leaders will give me on July 25, I will begin my work from July 26.We have a special programme on July 26 regarding 2 years of our government, after attending that programme, I will abide by the instructions from the national president."
Yediyurappa's government will complete two years in office on July 26.
Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, he said his intention is to strengthen the party in the days to come and bring it back to power.
"Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Amit Shah (home minister) and our national President J P Nadda have a special love and faith towards me. You are aware that no position has been given to those who have crossed 75 years of age, but appreciating my work they have given me an opportunity despite me crossing 78 years," Yediyurappa said.
Yediyurappa had visited Delhi last week, and had met Prime Minister Narendra Modi, home minister Amit Shah, defence minister Rajnath Singh and BJP president JP Nadda.
BSY calls off legislature party meet on July 26
Ever since he returned from Delhi after a two-day visit to meet party leaders last week, speculation is rife that Yediyurappa might step down from the CM’s post by this month-end. This gained more traction with the surfacing of an audio clip three days ago allegedly featuring party state president Nalin Kumar Kateel that hinted at an imminent change of guard in the state.
Giving more fuel to the will-he-won’t-he speculation, CM BS Yediyurappa on Wednesday called off the BJP legislature party meeting scheduled for July 26 — the day that marks two years in office — and postponed lunch and dinner planned for his secretariat staff and MLAs on its eve.
MLA V Sunil Kumar, who is the party whip in the assembly, attributed cancellation of events to “unforeseen developments” and added that he had been asked to inform legislators that the July 25 dinner has been postponed.
(With inputs from agencies)