Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Dec 24: There have been talk of offering the post of governor to Karnataka legislative council chairman, D H Shankaramurthy, since the last couple of years. Highly placed sources said that during the developments at New Delhi in the recent weeks, the plan to offer the gubernatorial position to Shankaramurthy has been finalized and countdown has begun for his elevation. However, there is no clarity about which state he would be heading.

The issue of finding a replacement for Shankaramurthy in the legislative council has been gaining attention of BJP leadership. It is said that Yeddyurappa's camp is interested in making Eshwarappa the council chairman in an effort to silence the senior leader, who has been vocal in his defiance of party's state leadership on certain issues.

Eshwarappa

At the same time, BJP's claim over the chairmanship of the council is dependent on the mood of JD(S), because of the support of which Shankaramurthy has been continuing to hold the current position. If the JD(S) stakes its claim for this post, BJP would be facing a problem. In all likelihood, JDS might try to push for its veteran leader, Basavaraj Horatti. This will pave way for confrontation between these two parties. It is gathered that Eshwarappa is not inclined to accept the post of the council chairman, and he might design a ploy to leave this seat for Horatti.

It is said that before finalizing the name of Shankaramurthy for the post, names of senior leaders, D B Chandregowda and B B Shivappa had been considered, but their names were dropped as they face health issues. Shankaramurthy, who has been with the BJP since the days of Jan Sangh, has been elected from south-west graduates constituency for five consecutive terms and his term will end in 2018. The party it is said, wants to give a clear signal to its cadres through this move that those who remain loyal to the party will be rewarded suitably.

The formality of Rajnath Singh, union home minister, who had recently met Shankaramurthy, and BJP national president, Amit Shah, holding discussions with Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, and getting his stamp of approval for the decision to make Shankaramurthy the governor is pending, it is said. There are rumours that Puducherry governor, Kiran Bedi, would be moved to New Delhi and Shankaramurthy would be made governor of Puducherry.