Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa, who sent his resignation to Bharatiya Janata Party President Nitin Gadkari on Sunday morning, told senior party leaders that he will send his resignation to Governor H T Bhardwaj on one condition -- that the party announce his choice of candidate as his successor. Only a resignation to the Governor will make Yeddyurappa's resignation official.
Yeddyurappa made it clear to Rajnath Singh and Arun Jaitley that he has to have his way. "I have single handedly brought thus party to power, I am quitting as per your wishes and I enjoy the support of over half of the MLAs. What I am asking for is nothing big and you people cannot ignore my demands," he told the party leaders.
"It was in the interest of the party that I have stepped down and now you cannot expect me to accept everything that you decide. I am making it clear that Ananth Kumar or any of his faction members cannot succeed me. Either announce Sadananda Gowda or K S Eshwarappa to be my successor and make me the state president if you want the transition to be smooth," he added.
His demand has put the high command in a tizzy and they are back in their rooms debating what to do next.
Yeddyurappa will now take part in a function at Bangalore's Palace Grounds. It would be his first public appearance since the crisis broke out. He has arranged for a mammoth crowd with the sole intention of showing the party his strength. What he speaks would be keenly observed. Will he speak out or remain quiet?
