TUMKUR: Feigning ignorance about his predecessor B S Yeddyurappa convening a meeting of loyalists, Karnataka Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda today said the issue of change of leadership was left to the BJP central leadership.
"The issue of change in leadership is left to the central party leadership to decide and I would present the state budget on March 21. The copy of it has already gone for printing," he told reporters when asked about speculation that Yeddyurappa would be reinstated and present the budget.
After meeting Siddaganga Mutt seer Shivakumar Swamy, Gowda said he had witnessed many political crisis in the past and possessed strength to overcome them.
"I am sure I will face the current political crisis successfully," Gowda, who succeeded Yeddyurappa after he quit in July last over his indictment in the Lokayukta report on illegal mining, said. He, however, feigned ignorance of Yeddyurappa convening a meeting of his supporters at Bangalore to mount pressure on the central leadership to reinstate him as the chief minister.
Gowda also said he had the blessings of six crore people of the state and was giving them "good" governance. Replying to a question, Gowda said the final decision on the selection of party candidate for contesting the Rajya Sabha polls would be taken after talks.