Bengaluru:  Ending days of speculation over his ouster, BS Yediyurappa on Monday announced his resignation from the post of the chief minister of Karnataka.

After announcing his resignation at a programme to mark the celebration of two years of his government, he visited the Raj Bhavan and tendered his resignation letter to Governor Thawarchand Gehlot.

"I have given my resignation letter to the Governor and he has accepted it,” he told reporters at the gates of the Raj Bhavan here.

Yediyurappa said he had tendered resignation on his own and there was no pressure from the central leadership.

“There was no pressure from Prime Minister Narendra, Amit Shah and Nadda. This is my own decision. I have taken this decision to give the opportunity to others to become chief minister. I once again thank the people of the state for having given me a chance to serve as the chief minister," he said.

Yediyurappa also said he is determined to strengthen the party and bring it back to power.

When asked who will replace him, Yediyurappa said it is left to the central leadership to decide on the new chief minister.

"I would not propose anyone's name. Whoever the central leadership makes the new chief minister, we all will work together and bring the party back to power (in the next election)," he said.

Names of several leaders have been reported in the media to replace Yediyurappa as chief minister.

Leaders from the Panchamasali Lingayat community like Basangouda Ramangouda Patil Yatnal, Arvind Bellad, and Murugesh Nirani are learnt to be the front runners in the race.

State home minister Basavaraj Bommai's name has also been propped up.

Names of former union minister DV Sadananda Gowda and BJP general secretary CT Ravi are cropping up if the central leadership decides to give a chance to the Vokkaliga community.

Minister R Ashok and deputy chief minister CN Ashwathnarayan also are in the race.

Yediyurappa expressed his gratitude towards Modi and Shah for having given him an opportunity to serve the people of the state as chief minister despite crossing 75 years.

"I express my deep gratitude towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Amit Shah, and our national party president (JP Nadda) for giving me an opportunity to serve the people of Karnataka as chief minister for two years despite the fact that I crossed the age of 75 years," he said.

Replying to a question, Yediyurappa said JDS and Congress MLAs who had joined the party and made ministers would not be affected by his resignation.

He also asked all ministers to cooperate with his successor.

Earlier at two years of completion of his government, a teary and emotional Yediyurappaa announced his resignation.

He said he along with a few BJP workers built the party and took it to where it is today and was never after any post.

Yediyurappa is an eight-time MLA from Shikaripura constituency in Shimoga district and served as chief minister for a record four times.

He is the only man to serve as the CM for four times in Karnataka and also the only one to serve 3 times as the leader of the opposition in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly.