Amid speculations over his exit, Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa has clarified that he has not been asked to resign by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) high command. “Till now I’ve not been asked to resign. When the directions come, I’ll quit and work for the party. I’ve not recommended any name. The party high command has not said anything to me. Let’s see what will happen after July 26,” Yediyurappa said on Thursday.

Earlier today, Karnataka Deputy CM CN Ashwathnarayan said that he was not aware that there was any leadership change discussion happening in the state.

“I don’t know in what context CM made that statement. At present, there is no question of leadership discussion happening. We are not aware of these things. We need to hear from him,” Ashwathnarayan said on being questioned about Yediyurappa’s emotional tweet on Wednesday.

BJP is like my mother: BSY

On Wednesday, Yediyurappa had said that the BJP was like his mother and reiterated his commitment to the directives from the party leadership. Last week, the Lingayat strongman visited New Delhi and met PM Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP chief JP Nadda. After returning to Bengaluru, BSY dismissed the rumours about his exit from the state.

Meanwhile, party leaders and Lingayat representatives have already started rallying behind Yediyurappa and extended their support to the BJP veteran. On Tuesday, a group of seers extended support to Yediyurappa and said that the credit of building a strong BJP in Karnataka goes to him. They also warned that the party will collapse if he was removed from the post.