Gowda set to assume charge as CM, disquiet in rival camp

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D.V. Sadananda Gowda is all set to assume charge as new Karnataka Chief Minister today even as there was disquiet in the rival camp which lost out in the bitterly fought secret ballot.

Ousted Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa's candidate, Gowda, who defeated Jagadish Shettar in the secret ballot at the legislature party meeting yesterday, is slated to be sworn-in by Governor H R Bhardwaj at Raj Bhavan at 4.30 pm.

Some of the MLAs who pushed for Shettar's candidature met at his residence for breakfast today and discussed the "reasons" for his defeat.

"There are different reasons for his (Shettar's) defeat", camp follower and Home and Transport Minister R Ashoka told reporters but did not go into specifics. He stated that he and the party's state unit chief K S Eshwarappa were among those (more than 50 MLAs) who had backed Shettar for the top post.

Meanwhile, Yeddyurappa said that from today, he is an "ordinary worker of the ruling BJP", and indicated that Gowda, whose candidature was suggested by himself, would have a free hand. Asked if Gowda's victory is actually "Yeddyurappa's win", he said: "It's the party's win; unity's win".

Noting that he was being projected as 'super Chief Minister' in some quarters, Yeddyurappa said, "He (Gowda) has the strength to work independently. I will not interfere in any issue".

Gowda today drove to Yeddyurappa's residence which was flocked by Ministerial aspirants as lobbying for cabinet berths intensified. The mood was sombre in the rival camp led by BJP National General Secretary H N Ananth Kumar and Eshwarappa.

Asked if this camp would attend the swearing-in ceremony, Ashoka evaded the question, saying it (the event) has not come to their notice and there was no "letter" (invitation). But Eshwarappa said all MLAs would participate.