BS Yeddyurappa resigns as chief minister of Karnataka

BS Yeddyurappa on Saturday resigned from the post of Chief Minister of Karnataka following a high-drama which was witnessed in the state's political landscape.  Yeddyurappa announced his resignation while addressing the House with an emotional speech ahead of the trust vote.

In his speech he said, "I will be submitting my resignation to the Governor. I will continue the fight, whether in power or in opposition..will continue till my last breath."

Defending Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Vala's decision to invite BJP to form government, he said, "BJP is the single largest party and that's why the Governor gave us the opportunity to form the goernment."

The main focus of Yeddyurappa's speech was the farmers of the state as repeated more than once in his speech that he "will serve the farmers till my last breath."

"Farmers in my state have undergone great agony over last 5 years. Welfare of farmers has always been my top priority. I have pledged to work for the welfare of farmers till my last breath. I have traveled throughout the state for the last two years and have seen pain on the faces of people. I can't forget the love & affection I received from people,"

Launching a scathing attack at the Congress-JD(S) alliance, he said,

"Those who were swearing on the names of each other's fathers and calling each other names before polls, have now come together to form this unholy alliance."

Having taken oath as Chief Minister just two days earlier, Yeddyurappa resigned before the floor test could even begin. 

Prior to this, sources had also claimed that before the crucial vote of hands, Yeddyurappa spoke to BJP President Amit Shah to apprise him of the latest developments. They have also claimed that Shah left the decision to resign or not on his discretion.

READ | Karnataka Assembly Floor Test: Will The BJP And Yeddyurappa Be Able To Prove Their Majority Or Will The Congress-JD(S) Come Out On Top? All Updates Here

Earlier on Saturday, in a massive setback to the Congress party and Janata Dal (Secular), the Supreme Court had rejected the Congress' plea challenging the appointment of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA K.G. Bopaiah as the pro tem speaker and has ordered that he will head over the crucial floor test. During the hearing Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Tushar Mehta said the speaker has taken a decision that the proceedings on the floor will be live telecasted on local channels, to which Justice AK Sikri observed that it resolves the entire issue.

In a dramatic hearing on Friday, the Supreme Court had ordered a floor test, to be held on Saturday in Karnataka Vidhana Soudha at 4pm, asking concerned parties to prove their majority in the floor of the House to stake claim to the Karnataka government. During the hearing as the Congress and JD(S) agreed to the floor test, the BJP had argued for more time and had also asked for a secret ballot. However, the apex court declined both the requests made by the BJP.