To keep peace, KSE to juggle two posts

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Knowing quite well that initiating the process of appointing a new BJP state president to succeed K.S. Eshwarappa, is likely to trigger another factional war in the ruling party, the central leadership may let Mr Eshwarappa—who is now deputy CM— enjoy both posts for the time being. Though several names are doing the rounds, a source said that with rival factions bent on grabbing the post, the last thing the party wants is another rebellion which could have a serious impact on the fledgling Jagadish Shettar government. What they most fear is a revolt by former chief minister B.S. Yeddyurappa and his loyalists, who will not take kindly to any move to appoint a rival like D.V. Sadananda Gowda party chief.

“The situation may go out of control if BSY walks out of the party with a handful of MLAs resulting in the collapse of the government. The BJP is also wary of facing the polls without BSY on their side, knowing the clout he wields over the majority Lingayat community. If the party postpones the decision on party chief, we can hope to keep him with us for the time being. If Mr Yeddyurappa stays back, the government will not face any threat till the elections,” sources said. The names doing the rounds to succeed Mr Eshwarappa, include those of RSS backed Mangalore MP Nalin Kumar Kateel and Dharwad MP Prahlad Joshi.

However, Mr Yeddyurappa may lose much of his bargaining power if the Supreme Court rejects the bail granted to him by the high court and the CBI takes him into custody for interrogation in the illegal mining scam. “If he goes behind bars, the party will be able to take command of the state unit as his loyalists will not dare to challenge the central leadership in his absence. The party can then go ahead with the process of appointing a new president,” the sources explained.