Yeddyurappa should be appointed as Karnataka BJP President: VS Acharya

Bangalore, July 30 (ANI): Karnataka Higher Education Minister VS Acharya, who has emerged as the front runner for the chief minister's post on Saturday requested the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) central leadership to appoint B S Yeddyurappa, involved in illegal mining scam, as president of the state party unit, after his resignation.

Acharya said that the party leaders want Yeddyurappa's nominee to be the next state chief.

"We request our national leaders, if Yeddyurappa resigns we want Yeddyurappa be the Karnataka BJP President and next chief minister should be his nominee," he told mediapersons in Bangalore.

Meanwhile, Harish Kumar, a legislator, said Yeddyurappa is a disciplined soldier of the party and will obey the high command's decision.

"I am in constant touch, there is no problem, and things are getting resolved. Absolutely he is a disciplined soldier of the party, has made it several time with no questions he will obey the high command's decision. There is no problem," he added.

Yeddyurappa today met senior BJP leaders Rajnath Singh and Arun Jaitley here on Saturday morning and assured them that he will step down from his post tomorrow.

Yeddyurappa issued a statement on late Thursday night, saying he will tender his resignation on July 31.

Meanwhile, BJP leaders Rajnath Singh and Arun Jaitley have begun a meeting with the MLAs here to select the next person for the chief minister's post.

Apart from Yeddyurappa, mining barons' Reddy brothers and several other influential leaders are reportedly involved in illegal mining in Karnataka as per Justice Hegde's report.

Justice Hegde on Wednesday confirmed that Lokayukta registrar Moosa Kunhi NayarMoole had submitted the illegal mining report to the state Chief Secretary S V Ranganath.

Justice Hegde also confirmed that the report indicts Chief Minister Yeddyurappa, members of his family and a trust run by them, and added that in the four-year period between 2006 and 2010, the loss to the Karnataka exchequer from illegal mining was to the tune of Rs.16, 085 crores. (ANI)