Amid strong indications emerging from the Bharatiya Janata Party headquarters in New Delhi that Karnataka chief minister Sadananda Gowda may have to make way for rural development minister Jagadish Shettar, the Lingayat leader from Hubli is said to have stayed on in Delhi to finalise his Cabinet and other appointments which will give Mr Gowda an honourable exit.
While central leaders have been maintaining that the change of guard may take place after the presidential election, most probably after counting on July 22, the BJP local leaders here indicated that the change of guard may occur as early as this coming Monday.
Chief minister Sadananda Gowda all but made a farewell speech on Wednesday when he told reporters, a day after his return from New Delhi, that “whatever the party’s decision, I will abide by their decision.”
“Central leaders heard our views. Their decision will not affect me because I consider this an inevitable part of public life. It will neither be sweet nor bitter. I am a disciplined soldier of the party,” the chief minister said, adding: “They have promised the state unit they will take a decision in 3-4 days.”
“Apart from being a Lingayat, Mr Shettar is the only leader in the BSY camp who is from RSS background. He’s seen as docile, someone who will toe the RSS line, so the party chose him,” sources said.