The rival camps in the BJP in the state appeared headed for a major showdown even as the outgoing Chief Minister said he did not want to become "a super CM" amid suggestions that that he would rule the state by proxy after installing his nominee Gowda in office.
The race for the state's top post seemed to have narrowed down to Gowda and Shettar, who is backed by the rival camp led by party national general secretary H N Ananth Kumar and state BJP Chief K S Eshwarappa.
Central BJP leaders Arun Jaitley and Rajnath Singh will be present as observers at tomorrow's BJP Legislature Party meeting and they have an arduous task on hand in ensuring that the change of guard is by consensus. Yeddyurappa, who finally quit as Chief Minister on Sunday following the crisis over the Lokayukta report indicting him on illegal mining, has publicly announced that his choice is Gowda, a former state unit party president.
But the rival camp spearheaded by Yeddyurappa's bitter rival Ananth Kumar, made it known today they have decided on the candidature of Shettar. "I, Shettar and (State unit President K S) Eshwarappa were in the contest for Chief Minister's post. After that, we sat together and held discussions. Ananth Kumar has also joined us. After discussions, we have felt Shettar may become Chief Minister", Home and Transport Minister R Ashoka said.
Yeddyurappa has reportedly conveyed to the party high command that Shettar's candidature would not be acceptable to him. Shettar, a former state unit president, comes from the dominant Lingayat community, to which Yeddyurappa also belongs.
Speaking to reporters in Tumkur, near here, Yeddyurappa, said, "Central leaders (Arun Jaitley and Rajnath Singh) are coming (to Bangalore) tonight. I am confident that the next Chief Minister will be by consensus".
Yeddyurappa had also said yesterday that he was confident that national leaders would solve the leadership issue in Karnataka amicably which will be "just and proper".
Jaitley indicated in New Delhi yesterday that choosing a new Chief Minister is being done through a "political process" which may happen by consensus or secret voting.
But Ashoka said today, "As far as I know, it will be by consensus. I don't feel it will go to that level (secret voting). "Most probably... unanimously... our leader will be selected (tomorrow), and from day after tomorrow, we will only concentrate on the development of the state," Yeddyurappa said.
On the anti-Sadananda Gowda camp plumping for Shettar, Ashok said: "Eventually, our opinion is not important. Opinion of (all the) legislators and the central leaders is final". He indicated that the selection process could throw up surprises, saying in the consensus process it can't be said the name being projected as the next Chief Minister would in fact get elected. "When the selection happens through consensus, it could change; anybody can become leader".
"I don't want to become a super CM," Yeddyurappa said in a remark that came in the wake of a section of the rival side trying to project that Gowda would be his "puppet" and that he would pull the strings. Seeking to steer clear of any controversy this time around, Governor H R Bhardwaj said he would not take any "action in haste" as he expressed confidence that the ruling BJP would be able to elect a new leader.
Responding to reporters' questions on the sidelines of a function at Raj Bhavan, Bhardwaj, perceived as being "hostile" to the state government in some BJP quarters, said he has no reason to believe that the ruling party would not be able to elect a new leader.
Noting that it is the responsibility of the legislative party to elect its leader, he said he expects it to decide. "I don't want to take any action in haste. Until tomorrow (when legislative party meeting is slated), I cannot comment. |
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