Karnataka: New crisis for BJP as Sadananda Gowda does a Yeddyurappa

New Delhi: In a last minute hitch, the ruling BJP Legislature party meeting to elect Jagadish Shettar as the Karnataka Chief Minister was delayed on Tuesday morning with outgoing Chief Minister DV Sadananda Gowda's camp setting forth three conditions for his resignation from the post.

Ministers and MLAs loyal to Gowda are believed to be pushing for making him the party's state unit President, and his close confidante Gobind Karjol the Deputy Chief Minister. They held a meeting at Gowda's residence, in an apparent show of strength. Nearly fifty MLAs and MLCs have pledged their support to him.

They have also demanded equal number of ministerial berths to their camp, and the announcing of the names of Ministers and constitution of the new 30-member Cabinet at one go, sources said.

Outgoing CM Sadananda Gowda and his group of MLAs and MLCs have set three conditions before he steps down from the post.

Transport and Home Minister R Ashoka is also said to be making a vigorous behind-the-scenes moves to become Deputy Chief Minister, party sources said.

BJP central leaders Arun Jaitley and Rajnath Singh are already in the city as party observers for the legislature party meeting, which was slated to start at 11 am, and offer guidance on ministry formation issues.

According to sources, BJP central leadership is not in favour of creating the post of Deputy Chief Minister.

Buckling under pressure from Yeddyurappa, the BJP central leadership on Sunday decided to opt for a change of leadership in a bid to end the leadership tussle in the state unit.

(With additional information from PTI)

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