from Daijiworld's political correspondent in Bangalore (GA)

Bangalore, May 9: If the sources in the corridors of Vidhana Soudha are to be believed, the state BJP unit is heading towards a vertical split and its cause is a woman.

As it has been reported earlier the cabinet expansion in the state has been postponed several times during the past few days.  Though no one has yet confirmed it, it is said that the cabinet expansion is getting delayed due to a woman.  This woman is Shobha Karandlaje, one of the three BJP women legislators of the state.

As known, Shobha Karandlaje enjoys close proximity with deputy chief minister Yediyurappa.  She is seen with him almost every time during his political visits.  However, now it is no secret that Yediyurappa has been pressing the chief minister to induct Shobha into the cabinet.  The sources also said that he is hell-bent on making Shobha a minister.

However, this is widely criticized by his own party men.  Senior leaders like D V Sadananda Gowda, Eashwarappa, Jagdish Shettar and others are opposing Yediyurappa's move to include Shobha Karandlaje into the cabinet.  It is also said that they have even threatened to resign from the cabinet if Shobha is made a minister. 

Their argument is that Shobha Karandlaje who hails from Puttur in Dakshina Kannada is a first-time MLC whereas two other MLAs Shakuntala Shetty and Vimala Gowda are not only senior to her in age but also in political experience.  The second argument is that Shobha is not a MLA.  She is the member of the legislative council just like Vimala Gowda and there are already many MLCs who have been made ministers, while there are less of MLAs, esp women.  Finally, there has already been enough talk about Yediyurappa-Shobha Karandlaje in the state political as well as private circle, many of those having been floated as part of intra-party rivalry.

So her inclusion in the cabinet would once again give credence these rumours.  On the other hand her inclusion is widely opposed by a group led by Anantkumar who is perceived as 'enemy number one' for Yediyurappa, by the latter's supporters.   While there are hardly anyone supporting Yediyurappa in this issue, he is adamant on his view that Shobha Karandlaje should be inducted into the state cabinet.

This row has once again brought forth the differences in state BJP.  It is now quite sure that nothing is going on well in BJP and the party is a boiling cauldron.  Only the coming days would give a clear picture about the present row and where it will lead the BJP in the state.