Flexing political muscles, Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa on Thursday ruled out any possibility of a change in leadership and asserted that he would complete his term in the top post.
Addressing a press conference on the New Year’ Eve, Mr. Yediyurappa said there was no doubt about him continuing as the Chief Minister till the next elections to the State Legislative Assembly. “BJP national general secretary in charge of Karnataka Arun Singh too has already clarified that I am continuing as the Chief Minister and there is no change in the leadership,” he said.
“There is no doubt among legislators. There is no doubt among the public about my continuity in the office. But only the media is having a doubt on me continuing as Chief Minister,” Mr. Yediyurappa remarked, and asked mediapersons to stop speculating about leadership change.
Asked about some legislators’ comments about the possibility of a leadership change, the Chief Minister said a couple of MLAs have expressed their views. He would solve grievances of the legislators by holding divisional-level meetings, Mr. Yediyurappa said.
30,000-cr. revenue shortage
On the financial difficulties in the State owing to COVID-19, the Chief Minister said the State was likely to face financial constraints in the coming fiscal year too. The State is expected to face a revenue shortage of ₹30,000 crore in 2020–21, the Chief Minister, who also holds the Finance portfolio, said.
Mr. Yediyurappa said the year 2020 was an acid test for the government with the onslaught of the pandemic and floods. “Despite the crisis, we will do our best to grant funds for priority sectors and major programmes announced in the State Budget 2020-21,” he said.
