B’lore:  National Role - Ploy to Distance Shobha from State Politics?

Daijiworld Media Network – Bangalore (SB)

Bangalore, Feb 9: The rumours are making rounds that former minister for rural development and panchayat raj Shobha Karandlaje will be recommended for the coveted post of national secretary of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). But this piece of news has also affirmed the fact that all is not well in the state BJP unit.

Newly elected BJP state president K S Eshwarappa had recently told media persons that after a discussion, a decision will be arrived at whether to re-induct Karandlaje into the state cabinet or give greater responsibility within the party, subtly hinting a role for Karandlaje at national level. This was again reiterated by the man at party’s helm during his visit to Mangalore on February 8, when he said that the decision on women representation in state cabinet will be decided only after due discussion with the Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa, answering a query.

But if the sources in the party have to be believed, Karandlaje’s elevation to national level politics is the handiwork of certain members in the party including Eshwarappa and senior cabinet member Jagadish Shettar, who want her out of state politics. The renewed interest of the members is in the background of CM intending to expand the cabinet ministry after budget session. Moreover, CM was in favour of welcoming Karandlaje back to cabinet to make amends for unceremoniously dropping her from ministership.

However, the decision has once again not augured well with few members of the party and it is said that therefore CM too is in favour of assigning a national role for Karandlaje, who is at present state BJP general secretary, to keep the skirmish in the state politics at low. It is also rumoured that state BJP former president D V Sadananda Gowda too may be assigned a role in national party politics, though assured of Karnataka Milk Federation chairmanship, so that he would retain his membership in parliament.