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