Karnataka: Audio clip on ‘leadership change’ goes viral, state BJP chief denies link

An audio clip, purportedly of Nalinkumar Kateel, the chief of Bharatiya Janata Party’s Karnataka unit chief, speaking about a leadership change in the state went viral on social media on Sunday, The Indian Express reported.

The clip assumes significance amid speculation about Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa quitting his post.

“There is going to be a definite change in leadership, a completely new team will be in place,” a voice, resembling that of Kateel, can reportedly be heard saying in the 47-second clip. The conversation is in the Tulu dialect of the Dakshina Kannada region, according to the newspaper.

“Don’t tell anyone, will be removing the entire team of [KS] Eshwarappa, Jagadish Shettar, and we will make a new team,” the voice says, according to India Today.

Eshwarappa is Karnataka’s rural development minister, while Jagadish Shettar handles the large and medium scale industries portfolio.

The voice adds: “Don’t tell anyone, they have told not to give it to anyone, don’t worry, we are there, whatever happens…It’s all in my hands, there are three names, there is a chance to go in…No one from here, someone will be posted from Delhi.”

Kateel has, however, denied links to the audio clip and said that he would speak to Yediyurappa on Monday. “There is an effort to damage the party by…

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