JOIN USClad in his trademark safari white suit, the God-fearing and superstitious Yeddyurappa shot to national fame first, by becoming the first BJP chief minister in south India, and second, for causing severe damage to the party’s image, because Karnataka became synonymous with scams and illegal mining.
Be it his ‘Operation Kamala’ or his tussles with the Bellary Reddy brothers and Governor H R Bhardwaj, Yeddyurappa, the five-time MLA from Shikaripura, has always been on tenterhooks from the time he assumed office.
Yeddyurappa, who was born at Bookanakere in Mandya district, scripted history for the saffron party in Karnataka.
After a four-decade-long career, his dream to become the chief minister was fulfilled three years and two months ago.
But he had an unceremonious exit from office on Sunday, following his indictment in the Lokayukta report on illegal mining in the State.
His career graph
* Took oath as Chief Minister on May 30, 2008.
* Faced revolt from the Reddy brothers in October 2009
*Faced another revolt from within his party in October 2010.
* Yeddyurappa was alleged to have used his position as CM to unfairly favour his sons in the allotment of prime land in Bangalore in November 2010.
* Was summoned by the central BJP leaders in December 2010, and June 2011 and both times he was not asked to step down
* He publicly declared his assets, and then challenged the Opposition and the Congress to find any ‘black money’ in February, 2011.
* He was indicted by Lokayukta Justice Santosh Hegde in his illegal mining report for accepting illegal gratification on July 27, 2011.
* Hegde asked the Governor to prosecute him under Prevention of Corruption Act
* Met BJP top brass in New Delhi the same day and he was asked to resign
* Returned to Bangalore on July 28; challenged central leadership.
* Said he will not resign
* On July 29, BJP central leaders land in Bangalore to make Yeddyurappa resign
* After challenging the leaders, Yeddyurappa eventually resigned on July 31