The recent change of guard in Karnataka was no less than a palace intrigue.
Former chief minister B.S. Yeddyurappa might have succeeded in removal of D.V. Sadananda Gowda, but he could not install his nominee in the Chief Minister’s seat.
Interesting details pertaining to this intrigue have started emerging after the formation of the new cabinet.
Sources in the BJP said Mr Yeddyurappa never intended to make Mr Jagadish Shettar the chief minister.
But fast-moving political developments over the last one month went out of his control and it became necessary for him to endorse the candidature of Mr Shettar.
In fact, Mr Yeddyurappa’s choice for the chief minister’s post was C.M. Udasi, also a Lingayat, but not a very popular leader. His game plan was to use him as a puppet.
Mr Yeddyurappa, however, knew well that he might not have the requisite numbers on his side if he projected Mr Udasi as his chief ministerial candidate.
In a tactical move, he floated the idea of his camp backing Mr Shettar, so that MLAs loyal to Mr Shettar and other fence-sitters, like G. Karunakara Reddy, could switch allegiance to his camp.
His presumption was that even if his camp projected Mr Shettar, the central leadership would not effect a change in leadership and agree to replace Mr Sadananda Gowda.
Around the same time, Mr Shettar, who felt neglected by state party unit chief K.S. Eshwarappa and Mr Sadananda Gowda, took a calculated risk of joining hands with his bete noire Mr Yeddyurappa.
While Mr Yeddyurappa was working on his move, the central leaders hatched their own plan.
They summoned Mr Shettar to New Delhi and held discussions with him to evaluate Mr Yeddyurappa’s strengths and weaknesses and the need for a change of guard.
Even before the former chief minister’s camp could make the next move of projecting Mr Udasi, the central leaders agreed to replace Mr Sadananda Gowda with Mr Shettar.
Pushed to the corner, Mr Yeddyurappa had to accept Mr Shettar, the sources added.