Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Jul 30: Deputy chief minister Laxman Savadi, whose Delhi visit had fuelled the rumour that an attempt was on to replace chief minister B S Yediyurappa, tried to dismiss the rumour by asserting that Yediyurappa will continue to be the chief minister of Karnataka for three more years.

"There is no need to indulge in speculations or draw political equations over my Delhi visit. It was a visit that was planned well in advance. My party has given me everything which I wanted, and I have never aspired for anything else. As long as Yediyurappa is at the helm, no one can stake claim to his place. We will take a resolve to fight and win elections under his leadership. Notion spread by some quarters that I visited Delhi to save my position as the deputy chief minister is also false, he stated.

Chief minister B S Yediyurappa

He said he had visited Delhi in connection with some things connected with his department. "Incidentally, I had met the governor to enquire about his health before leaving for Delhi, and because of this, rumours started floating," he observed.

Minister C T Ravi, also dismissed the talk about change in the state leadership. He said that there is no need to give special significance to Savadi's Delhi visit. He wondered why this issue has been raked up all of a sudden.

Minister Shashikala Jolle, said she had visited Delhi to discuss issues concerning her department. She expressed surprise at her visit being projected as an attempt to save her seat in the ministry. She said no such developments have taken place.

Sri Ram Sene president, Pramod Mutalik, said that people will chase politicians and beat them up if the chief minister is changed at this juncture.