With his back to the wall on the eve of Lokayukta Justice N. Santosh Hegde handing in the final report on illegal mining in Karnataka, state chief minister B.S. Yeddyurappa has drawn up his war plan, from posturing to a rider that the BJP elect his nominee — energy minister Shobha Karandlaje or higher education minister V.S. Acharya — as the successor.
Sources in the ruling party said the leader discussed various options in the event of an indictment by Justice Hegde with his confidants ahead of his flying visit to Tirupathi on Tuesday.
First, his lieutenants and he plan to convince senior central leaders with action taken on the first report of Justice Hegde and the drive against illegal mining and export of iron ore.
In case the leaders do not pay heed, he would threaten dissolution of the Legislative Assembly and seek a fresh mandate in order to drive home the point that he enjoys the support of masses. The last option would be to set conditions for stepping down, the most important one being electing either Ms Karandlaje or Dr Acharya as his successor.
Sources said Mr Yeddyurappa picked Ms Karandlaje and Dr Acharya as he would be able to “remote control” the Cabinet.