Bengaluru: Chairman of the BS Minister Yediyurappa reportedly planned to hold lunch for senior officials and his secretariat staff on July 25, the day before the BJP legislative party meeting.
It has triggered further speculation in the political circle that the time in the office might be tortuous, suggestions rejected by his maid.
According to an official at the office of the Minister of Chief (CMO), Yediyurappa also intends to arrange lunch for BJP Mlaas after the meeting, followed by a photo session at Vidhana Soudha.
A few days before that, on July 23 or 24, he was expected to visit the district of his house, Shivamogga, to inaugurate many projects.
Speculation about leadership changes attended a two-day visit of Yediyurappa to Delhi last week, when he met Brass BJP.
He has described the trip as a success and rejected the conversation that he would be asked to step aside.
He added that the high command had given him the responsibility to lead the party for the victory in the assembly election of 2023.
Part of BJP officials believed that he could announce his decision to resign at a July 26 meeting.
But his loyalist denied that he was on his way out.
“He is a warrior; he won’t go easily,” said a senior Mla.
One theory in a political circle is that Yediyurappa wants to avoid making announcements until August 15, given the unprofitable Ashadha period.
On Monday, he went lunch with Minister of Bukavaraj Bommani, V Somanna, R Ashoka and K Sudhakar, and several MLA.
But for most of the day, he was in his home office.
Meanwhile, Yediyurappa has received support from several unexpected quarters.
Congressman and former Minister of Water Resources MB Patil asked BJP to treat Yediyurappa with respect.
“BJP might face angka lingayats if they (parties) treat the high leader of the community.
BJP must appreciate his contribution and treat it with dignity,” he tweeted.
Other Senior Congress Mla, Shamanur Shivashankarappa, who is President Veerashaiva Lingayat Mahasabha, met Yediyurappa.
“BJP will be removed if Yediyurappa is disturbed.
He has built a party from the beginning, and the Lingayat community wants him to continue.
Veerashaiva Sabha will support it,” he said.
Seer Lingayat, which prominently Jagadguru Prasanna Renuka Shivacharya Swami from Rambhapuri Mutt at Balehonnur also warned the party so as not to replace Yediyurappa.
“He is the highest party leader and the community.
Let him complete his term,” he said in Raichur.
Meanwhile, Governor Karnataka Tharawa Chand Ghholt asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi on Monday.