State BJP chief's alleged audio clip intensifies Yediyurappa's resignation speculation

Bengaluru: An audio clip purportedly of BJP state president, Nalinkumar Kateel has gone viral since Sunday, amid high speculations that chief minister B.S. Yediyurappa might be replaced by this month-end.

As soon as the audio leak happened, the Karnataka BJP tweeted in Kannada demanding Yediyurappa to order a probe. "I think this audio clip is the handiwork of mischievous elements, who want to bring disrepute to our party and to the government in the state. Therefore, I seek from the Karnataka CM to order a high-level investigation into the alleged audio leak," the BJP tweeted.

"Someone has surely mimicked his voice and the same has been leaked on WhatsApp. Such conspiracies must be exposed, hence I request Yediyurappa to order a probe into this," the BJP said quoting Kateel on Twitter.

The purported clip went viral a day after Yediyurappa met Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP President J.P. Nadda and others from the party's central leadership during his visit to Delhi.

A 47-second long clip in Tulu language in a voice resembling Kateel says, "There is going to be a definite change in leadership, a completely new team will be in place."

"Don't tell anyone, will be removing the entire team of (Old guards) (Rural Development and Panchayat Raj minister) K.S. Eshwarappa, (Industries minister and former CM) Jagadish Shettar and we will form a new team," a voice says.

"Don't tell anyone, there are three names finalised for the CM's post - first is union minister, Pralhad Joshi and second being (incumbent speaker) Vishweshwara Hegde Kaageri and another person is being zeroed in by the party central leaders themselves", the voice added.

The voice further claims that the entire new team will be under the party's control unlike in the present situation. "We are there for you all. Power will be with us from now on. All changes will happen in accordance with the wishes of Delhi leaders and nothing will happen from here," the voice says.

Meanwhile, after Yediyurappa's Delhi visit on Saturday, the chief minister has called for a meeting of the party MLAs and MLCs on July 26, which marks the completion of two years of his government.

The meeting is being seen as more than just a celebration of the government's landmarks, as some of his own partymen have openly criticised his handling of the pandemic crisis and have also levelled corruption charges against his younger son, B.Y. Vijayendra.