As Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa completes two years in office, suspense continues over the possible change of guard in the state with the 78-year-old leader saying a decision on his political fate will be known by Monday.

“Nothing has come till now… In the morning there is a programme to mark two years of government. I will speak about the achievements in those two years. After that, you will know the progress,” he said on Sunday evening.

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The Lingayat strongman, the face of the BJP in the state, added that he was yet to receive the “message” from the party’s central leadership on whether he should continue in his post or quit.

Yediyurappa once again reiterated that he had offered to resign two months ago if the party so wished. “I will work for the party day and night for the next 10- 15 years. Let there be no doubt about it”, the Chief Minister said.

Speculation has been rife about Yediyurappa’s exit from the top post for months now amid political muscle flexing by him. The Lingayat community, the BJP’s strong votebank that comprises about 20% of the population, stood behind him issuing statements that he should not be  touched. Many Lingayat seers expressed solidarity with Yediyurappa, who represents the Shikaripura constituency, warning the BJP of against any such move. The seers even met him at his official residence, which many interpreted as a show of strength.

The seers reminded the BJP about the plight of the Congress party after Veerendra Patil (another Lingayat chief minister) was removed from the post. The Lingayat community had then shifted its loyalty to the BJP.  Even Opposition Congress’ Lingayat leaders M B Patil and Shamanur Shivashankarappa came out in his support.

Scores of pontiffs met yet again on Sunday, at a “maga conclave” in Bengaluru, and expressed support for Yediyurappa.

On Sunday, speaking to reporters in Belagavi, the Chief Minister reiterated that he would abide by the decision of the party’s central leadership, and said he was content and satisfied and “will not cross the disciplinary line.” “I got most of the positions in the party, which no one else might have got in Karnataka, for which I express my gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and party president J P Nadda”, the Chief Minister said, reports PTI

In Panaji, BJP National President J P Nadda on Sunday praised Yediyurappa for his “good work”. “It is good, he has done a good job. Karnataka (government) is running smoothly.