‘Agni Pareeksha’, pandemic and tears in BS Yediyurappa’s farewell speech

BS Yediyurappa, the outgoing Chief Minister of Karnataka, got emotional in his farewell speech to partymen where he said that there was no pressure on him to resign. The 78-year-old Lingayat leader announced his resignation in the Assembly at an event organised to mark his government’s two years in office.

During his emotional speech, Yediyurappa called his 2-year tenure a “trial by fire”,  referring to calamities such as the devastating floods and the COVID-19 pandemic. Here’s what Yediyurappa said in his farewell speech:

*There is no question about me leaving the state. I will continue to work for the welfare of the people in Karnataka.

*It is not with sadness but with happiness that I got a chance after I turned 75. I am grateful to PM Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP chief JP Nadda for giving me the opportunity to serve Karnataka for two years. I also thank the people of Karnataka and my constituency. I decided to resign 2 days back.

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*It was an ‘agni pareeksha’. My government faced several challenges including multiple floods and the coronavirus pandemic in the state.

*We will work under whoever has been selected as the new CM by the (BJP) high command. I will give my 100% and my supporters will also give their 100%. There is no need to make any inference of dissatisfaction

*Atal Bihari Vajpayee said that I should be a leader in the Centre. But I told him, I will be in Karnataka to build the party. I told him I won’t come to Delhi.

*Nobody pressurised me to resign. I did it on my own so that someone else can take over as CM after completion of 2 years of govt. I’ll work to bring BJP back in power in the next election. I’ve not given the name of anyone who should succeed me

*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