Belligerent BSY pushes for Shettar, Shobha
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Grappling with the most serious crisis it has faced in the past fours years, the ruling BJP on Sunday was considering various solutions to break the ice with former chief minister B.S. Yeddyurappa — including one to make his close associate, Shobha Karandlaje the new CM replacing incumbent, D.V. Sadananda Gowda.
There were enough indications that Shobha was emerging as a frontrunner with the energy minister leaving for Delhi Sunday evening for talks with party national president Nitin Gadkari. Earlier in the day, rural development minister and Lingayat community strongman Jagadish Shettar had emerged as a strong contender — first for the deputy CM post and then for the top job itself. Shettar’s name was proposed by the BSY camp for CM but DVS is prepared to make him only deputy CM, sources said.
Sources said that BSY may not be averse to making Shettar the CM replacing Sadananda Gowda with whom his relations have soured beyond repair. His only worry — Shettar may soon take over the mantle of the Lingayat mascot, sealing any hope he still nurtures of a comeback to the top post.
Party leaders now sense that the only hope of saving the government would be to placate BSY, who on his part, knows that with the CBI heat on him, he will have to ensure his interests are safeguarded as fast as possible by having his loyalists in powerful positions. The dilemma the BJP faces, is ensuring the exit of Sadananda Gowda without triggering another revolt by his supporters. Mr Gowda now enjoys the support of a substantial chunk of MLAs including the Balachandra Jarkiholi camp who are stoutly opposing any move to remove him.
Mr Gowda is in Delhi holding talks with the BJP top brass. A meeting of the party’s all powerful core committee was held in the national capital, which was attended by senior leader Arun Jaitley, party general secretary Ananth Kumar and the CM.
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