Bangalore: Exit DVS, Shettar to be Sworn in on July 9?
From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore
Bangalore, Jul 4: Even as the official word on resolving the political crisis that had gripped Karnataka and the ruling BJP in the last few weeks is yet to come, speculation is ripe that the ever-smiling Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda may not have reason to smile anymore as he might be asked to make way for former chief minister B S Yeddyurappa’s one-time-enemy and present favourite Jagadish Shettar. Not only that, it is reliably learnt that Shettar, who is yet to return to Bangalore, might be sworn in as the next chief minister on Monday, July 9.
However, given the fact that the formula for finding a solution for the State’s political crisis will still have to be approved by the BJP Central Parliamentary Board, which has former deputy prime minister L K Advani as its working president, there could still be delay especially in view of the strong opposition of Advani for yielding to any pressure tactics or blackmail from the Yeddyurappa.
The Chief Minister D V Sadnanada Gowda and State BJP President K S Eshwarappa, who have been camping in Delhi for confabulations with the BJP high command after the nine rebel ministers, including Shettar, who had submitted their resignations to the Gowda ministry on June 28 as part of Yeddyurappa camp’s strategy to build pressure on the BJP national leadership, withdrew their resignations, have returned to Bangalore last night irself.
However, Shettar has been asked to stay back for further consultations with the national leadership.
According to informed sources, the BJP high command has decided to give to Yeddyurappa’s demands and effect a change of leadership in the State. Under the formula that has been hammered out by the BJP national leadership, Gowda may be asked to put in his papers to pave the way for Shettar’s installation.
However, Gowda will be asked to take over as the State BJP president as part of the strategy to ensure that he is suitably accommodated and also to prevent Yeddyurappa from gaining complete control over the party unit. Incidentally, though Yeddyurappa has managed to get his man installed as chief minister, he will not be able to gloat over his victory as the compromise formula that is being talked about suggests that the present state BJP president K S Eshwarappa, who will be vacating his post, will be accommodated in the cabinet and given the status of being the Deputy Chief Minister so that there will be sufficient checks and balances against Yeddyurappa from steamrolling the Shettar ministry to do his bidding.
Incidentally, the State Legislature session is likely to be summoned to meet from July 16 for the budget session under the new chief minister and also for the July 19 presidential polls.
Meanwhile, the Balachandra Jarakiholi and other ministers and legislators loyal to Gowda are still exerting pressure on the BJP high command not to dethrone the chief minister without any valid reasons or corruption charges against him. The Jarakiholi camp has even threatened to quit. But these threats may not cut much ice with the BJP high command as it seems to be more concerned with retaining Yeddyurappa’s pull over the politically powerful LIngayat community to which both Yeddyurpapa and Shettar belong during the forthcoming assembly polls.
''We don't know what will be sweet or what will be bitter. That will take four to five days - we still don't know...but from my part it will be neither sweet nor bitter. It is part of daily life. I am ready for any decision. I will not treat any decision as either sweet or bitter,” said Gowda, who had indicated in the morning that he may be on the way out.
"Jagadish Shettar has brought the political situation to the attention of our leaders. In the same way Chief Minister Sadananda Gowda and party president Eshwarappa have also spoken to them. There have been two rounds of talk in Delhi. In a few days there will be a solution to the political developments," said Basavaraj Bommai, a minister and Yeddyurappa loyalist, who also belongs to the Lingayat community.
Earlier News
Bangalore: Karnataka CM Hints that his Exit Might be Imminent
Bangalore, Jul 4 (PTI): For the first time after the B S Yeddyurappa faction demanded his scalp, Karnataka Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda hinted today that his exit might be imminent, even as he sought to highlight the achievements of his 11-month rule.
The party's central leaders have told warring factions that a decision on leadership issue would be taken in the next four-five days, Gowda told reporters after meeting members of the public at his home-office "Krishna".
"I, (Jagadish) Shettar, (K S) Eshwarappa (state BJP president) have told the central leaders that we will abide by their decision. They said they will take a decision in four-five days", said Gowda, who returned here last night after consultations with the central leadership.
He indicated that he would take any decision in his stride.
"I won't treat any decision in my favour as sweet or bitter if it's an adverse decision. I would take it as part of day-to-day activities", Gowda said.
The Chief Minister then went on to highlight the achievements of his Government in the last 11 months.
Gowda said he got an opportunity to lead the Government for 11 months and he discharged his duties very successfully and honestly and there is no "black mark" during his rule.
He has not given any opportunity - either to the Governor or the opposition parties - to point a finger at him. There was no taint and people have "accepted" his administration, Gowda said.
Gowda also sought to showcase the right to services act "Sakala", enacted during his tenure, and noted that more than 45 lakh applications had been disposed of in just three months.