Yeddyurappa ready to step down if told to, says Gadkari

BJP president Nitin Gadkari has said that Karnataka chief minister BS Yeddyurappa had assured him that he would abide by whatever decision Gadkari takes on the Karnataka lokayukta’s report. Vikas Pathak reports.

BJP president Nitin Gadkari said on Monday that Karnataka chief minister BS Yeddyurappa had assured him that he would abide by whatever decision Gadkari takes on the Karnataka lokayukta’s report.

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The report is believed to have indicted Yeddyurappa, four ministers and others for their links with illegal iron ore mining, which caused the state losses running into crores.

Gadkari, however, refused to spell out what he thought about the leaked portions of the report, saying the party would take an appropriate decision when the report is out. Thus, even as he left the matter open, Gadkari underlined that he would be able to convince Yeddyurappa to step down if required.

A source close to the chief minister said, “Yeddyurappa is not in a comfortable position. There is an emerging view among some leaders that the party would have to compromise on its entire anti-corruption campaign if it sticks with him.”

Sources said Gadkari had asked senior party leader M Venkaiah Naidu to work on Yeddyurappa to persuade him to step down to make way for a successor. Another option, preferable to the CM if he finds it difficult to stay on, is fresh assembly elections, an aide of Yeddyurappa said.