Karnataka crisis: BJP official announcement today, Gowda to meet Gadkari

New Delhi: Karnataka is all set for its third Chief Minister in a year. After a BJP Core Group meet at 11.30 am on Saturday, it was reportedly decided that DV Sadananda Gowda will be replaced by BS Yeddyurappa loyalist and Lingayat leader Jagadish Shettar as the Chief Minister.

The BJP high command is expected to make the official announcement on Sunday, after, perhaps, Gowda's meet with party President Nitin Gadkari at 9 am.

It was nearly an year ago, on August 4, 2011, that Gowda had taken over the charge of the state, courtesy Yeddyurappa. Now, he is on his way out, again courtesy Yeddyurappa.

BJP sources say the party is expected to make an official declaration on Sunday regarding the Chief Minister\'s post.

The relationship between Gowda and his mentor Yeddyurappa strained a few months after he handed over the baton to him. Recently, Yeddyurappa even went to the extent of threatening to leave the party demanding Gowda's removal at any cost. The BJP high command had to succumb to the pressure tactics of Yeddyurappa once again keeping its eyes on the most powerful Lingayat votes.

Interestingly, Shettar had lost the race to the chief ministerial post to Gowda, 11 months ago. Now, the Lingayat leader from north Karnataka is slated to succeed Gowda as the new Chief Minister.

And it does seem that yet another crisis in Karnataka BJP is over, albeit for the time being.

Since the Assembly elections are likely to be held anytime after six months, it would be a height of optimism to expect a long lasting truce.

(For updates you can share with your friends, follow IBNLive on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and Pinterest)