Bengaluru: Former Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa has urged his newly appointed successor Basavaraj Bommai to withdraw the order to giving him cabinet rank status.
Bommai had on Saturday issued an order wherein Yediyurappa was extended facilities similar to a minister.
"I request you to provide me only those facilities which are given to an immediate former chief minister and withdraw the order giving me a cabinet rank," Yediyurappa said in his letter to Bommai, which was made available to the media, PTI reported.
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Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai accorded cabinet rank facilities to his predecessor B.S. Yediyurappa in the order was issued by the Under Secretary, Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms (DPAR).
The order from the Protocol wing of the DPAR stated that as long as the current Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai holds the post, Yediyurappa will continue to have all facilities of a cabinet rank minister.
This is the first time such a decision has been taken and it came as a surprise to many. As per the order, Yediyurappa can continue to utilise a government bungalow, vehicle, 11 staffers, and the security provided by the government.
Conventionally, the outgoing Chief Minister continues to receive these perks for six months after they step down. However, the order has given cabinet rank status, sources in the DPAR said.
Yediyurappa had officially resigned on July 26, after announcing the decision at the event celebrating the completion of his two years' term in the office.
A day after his resignation, the Lingayat strongman had proposed Bommai's name as the leader at the BJP legislature party meet, a recommendation that was accordingly accepted by all and on July 28 Bommai took oath as the new Chief Minister.