With just hours to go for the crucial meet of the BJP legislature party on Wednesday, when a new chief minister will be chosen, the mood at Hotel Lalit Ashok where legislators loyal to the Ananth Kumar faction are camping, was pretty upbeat.
Reason: Their candidate and rural development minister Jagadish Shettar has reportedly gained an advantage over outgoing CM B.S. Yeddyurappa’s nominee, D.V. Sadananda Gowda.
After being confined to their rooms for the past three days, the MLAs identified with the AK camp, came out to stretch their legs and gathered at the hotel lounge and the garden near the swimming pool. Sitting in groups, they animatedly discussed Mr Shettar’s prospects of becoming CM.
Five MLAs from north Karnataka from where Mr Shettar hails, told Deccan Chronicle that with two leading Lingayat math pontiffs backing Mr Shettar, a few legislators of the community, who were in the Yeddyurappa camp, have sent feelers that they don’t mind switching sides.
The intensity of the battle for the CM’s post, could be gauged from the fact that some legislators in the AK camp switched off their mobile phones for the past three days, fearing poaching attempts by the BSY faction.
“We are confident that Mr Shettar will be elected legislative party leader tomorrow. We don’t want a shadow chief minister and we have communicated this to our senior leaders” said a legislator while frowning on the choice of Mr Sadananda Gowda.
As for the 11 BJP MLAs led by Balachandra Jarkiholi, whose disqualification was set aside by the Supreme Court a couple of months ago, they seem to be in a dilemma over their future.
Thy are keenly watching the developments in both camps, sources said adding that they would not be averse to switching to the Yeddyurappa group if he gains the upper hand.
Sources said that of the 120 BJP MLAs in the 224 member Assembly, 45-50 are with the AK camp. The Yeddyurappa camp claims they have the numbers with 65 MLAs on their side. A few MLAs have chosen the safe way out by maintaining a neutral stand till the picture becomes clear.
Going by current indications, the AK camp, which had only 25 MLAs initially, has seen a dramatic rise in its strength after they proposed Mr Shettar as chief minister.
“Our leaders are working hard to resolve the crisis. We are hopeful before legislative party meet, a compromise formula will be worked out,” party spokesperson C.T. Ravi said.
