Bengaluru: While Karnataka is battling the second wave of Covid-19, speculations circulated on Wednesday that the ruling BJP was considering replacing Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa.

For the first time, some ministers and MLAs openly admitted to using such tactics to exert pressure on the Karnataka BJP strongman.

Several legislators close to the Chief Minister rallied around him, questioning the need for such a change and claiming that the 78-year-old veteran would finish his term and even lead the party in the two-year-ahead elections.

In response to a question, Revenue Minister R Ashoka stated, “I have got information about several (legislators) camping in Delhi, and I have got to know about meetings that are still taking place in various locations. Several Ministers are said to be involved, according to the media…it is true that such discussions are taking place “.

However, Dy. CM Ashwath Narayan, Home Minister Basavaraj S Bommai, Housing Minister V Somanna, Industries Minister Jagadish Shettar, said they were unaware of any such developments and ruled out leadership change.