Arun Singh to visit Bengaluru to pick new Karnataka CM

Bengaluru, Jul 26 (UNI) Karnataka in-charge of the BJP Arun Singh is likely to visit the city tomorrow as one of the central observers to pick new chief minister after BS Yediyurappa announced his resignation on Monday.
Speaking to reporters in Delhi, Arun Singh said the party’s parliamentary board will take a decision on who would succeed Yediyurappa as chief minister. “The decision will be taken by the (party’s) parliamentary board,” he said.
Earlier, Yediyurappa said he would not propose any successor’s name and left the decision to the central leadership.”I would not propose anyone’s name. Whoever the central leadership makes the new chief minister, we all will work together and bring the party back to power (in the next election),” he said.
Some names of the leaders belonging to Vokkaliga, Lingayat and Brahmin communities are making round.
In the race are Mines and Geology Minister Murugesh Nirani, CT Ravi, Arvind Bellad, Home Minister Basavaraj Bommai, Basanagouda Patil Yatnal, CN Ashwath Narayan and Prahlad Joshi.
After tendering the resignation to Governor Thawarchand Gehlot, Yediyurappa thanked people of the state for giving him an opportunity to serve them.
“It has been an honour to have served the state for the past two years. I have decided to resign as the Chief Minister of Karnataka. I am humbled and sincerely thank the people of the state for giving me the opportunity to serve them,” he tweeted.
Meanwhile, Gehlot has dissolved the council of ministers headed by Yediyurappa with immediate effect.
“In exercise of powers conferred on me under Article 164 (1) of the Constitution of India, I Thawarchand Gehlot, Governor of Karnataka, have accepted the resignation of Shri BS Yediyurappa, Chief Minister of Karnataka and dissolved the Council of Ministers headed by him with immediate effect,” Gehlot said in a notification released to the press.
“Shri BS Yediyurappa shall continue to function as Chief Minister till alternative arrangements are made,” he added.
Reacting to the development, the supporters of Yediyurappa shut down shops and commercial establishments in his hometown Shikaripura in Shivamogga district and raised slogans against BJP.
Earlier in the morning, Yediyurappa tendered his resignation as chief minister to Gehlot at Raj Bhavan. He also said he had resigned on his own and there was no pressure from the central leadership.
‘There was no pressure from Prime Minister Narendra, Amit Shah and Nadda. This is my own decision. I have taken this decision to give the opportunity to others to become chief minister. I once again thank the people of the state for having given me a chance to serve as the chief minister,” he said.
Yediyurappa said he is determined to strengthen the party and bring it back to power.
Asked who will replace him, Yediyurappa said it is left to the central leadership to decide on the new chief minister.