Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa, indicted by the Lokayukta in illegal mining scam, resigned on Sunday, July 31st, 2011, ending three days of defiance and favoured Lok Sabha MP, D V Sadananda Gowda, as his successor. After giving anxious moments to party central leadership, which had asked him to step down immediately, 68 years old Yeddyurappa submitted his resignation to Governor H R Bhardwaj amid high drama and claimed he was accused unfairly on illegal mining issue.

Yeddyurappa walked the 2 km long distance from his Race Course residence to Raj Bhavan, along with over 60 MLAs and ministers to submit his resignation letter to the Governor who immediately accepted it. "We have proposed the name of D V Sadananda Gowda as Chief Ministerial candidate," Yeddyurappa told reporters outside Raj Bhavan, coming out publicly on his choice of successor over which he had locked horns with the party top brass.

"I believed from the beginning that no sacrifice is above the party. Therefore, bowing to the directive of the party seniors, I have stepped down from the Chief Minister's post without any hesitation. Despite my sincere attempts to preserve the natural resources of the state, I have been accused unfairly. I leave this to the judgement of the enlightened people of the state" said Yeddyurappa as his 38-month stint in office ended after being nailed by Lokayukta Santosh Hegde who recommended his prosecution under the provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act. Shortly after submitting his resignation, Yeddyurappa went into a huddle with senior party leader Arun Jaitley to decide on the successor ahead of a legislature party meeting to elect a new leader.

Yeddyurappa, who reportedly insisted on being made the state party unit president before he could make way for his successor, said he would abide by whatever decision his party high command takes on his political future.