It's Yediyurappa: Karnataka CM changes spelling of name before swearing-in

Karnataka chief minister B S Yeddyurappa has reverted to the earlier English spelling of his name B S Yediyurappa, apparently influenced by numerology.

The change became public on Friday in his letter to Governor Vajubhai Vala, staking claim to form the government, and later, in the official invitation for the swearing-in ceremony of the BJP leader as Karnataka chief minister.

He had changed the spelling of his name from Yediyurappa to Yeddyurappa after he had to resign as chief minister in 2007.

He had to quit barely a week after becoming the CM as the then coalition partner JDS reneged on its promise to share power for 20 months each.

However, it seems to have failed to bring him any luck as the two subsequent terms as chief minister did not last long.

Meanwhile, BJP workers held celebrations across the state after the party staked claim to form the government three days after the fall of the H D Kumaraswamy-led coalition front of the Congress and the JD(S).

Party workers danced to drumbeats in various parts of the state, burst crackers and raised slogans hailing the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

A festive atmosphere prevailed at the BJP state headquarters in Malleswaram and near Yediyurappa's residence, where workers distributed sweets.

Special prayers were offered to the village deity in Bookanakere, Yediyurappa's birth place in Mandya district, to ward off any hurdles in his latest term as chief minister, sources said.

Grand celebrations were also held in his native Shivamogga district.