Gowda hints it’s all over for him

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Amid strong indications emerging from the BJP HQ in New Delhi that 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 directive.”

“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 CM said, adding “They have promised the state unit they will take a decision in 3-4 days”. Party sources said that after the BSY camp revolted against Chief Minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda, the ministers from the camp were reluctant to work with him leaving the party with no option but to choose a leader from the BSY group who could take all groups along.

“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 added. “The threat of losing the Lingayat vote base is a major concern in the party. While the party has factored in the loss of B. Sreeramulu and the impending loss of scheduled tribe votes, it also realised that in north Karnataka, if we do not bring a Lingayat face at this juncture, even Lingayats may desert us leaving us with no large vote bank. It was imperative that the party chose someone like Mr Shettar,” sources added.

Meanwhile in a bid to balance the caste configuration, there is talk that state home minister R. Ashok, a Vokkaliga like Mr Gowda, may be angling for the post of deputy CM. Other changes in the offing could see Mr Gowda being brought in as BJP state unit president and current state party chief K.S. Eshwarappa rejoining the cabinet.