Bengaluru: Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa, whose position has grown stronger following the state BJP's impressive win in the recent byelections to 15 assembly constituencies, may use his advantage to try and get rid of the three Deputy Chief Ministers (DCMs) he has been saddled with, according to sources close to him.
But he may not find it easy to get his way as his bête noire and Bharatiya Janata Party national organising general secretary, B.L Santhosh, is likely to put a stop to any such move, they admit.
In fact, a threatened, Deputy Chief Minister, Laxman Savadi is reportedly already in Delhi, meeting BJP leaders and the RSS top brass to save his position.
The Chief Minister's inclination to do away with the posts of Deputy Chief Ministers puts a question mark over the ambition of newly elected Gokak legislator, Ramesh Jarkiholi, to become the fourth Deputy Chief Minister of the state.
Mr Jarkiholi, who was one of the 17 Congress and Janata Dal (Secular) MLAs responsible for the fall of the coalition government and installation of the Bharatiya Janata Party government in its place, is reportedly keen on being “rewarded” with the post, but Mr. Yediyurappa is more likely to induct him into the Cabinet as a minister with a plum portfolio, say sources. The Chief Minister is against the creation of one more post of Deputy Chief Minister as the DCMs only clip his wings when it comes to functioning as head of the government, sources explain.
Also, should he oblige Mr Jarkiholi, he could upset senior minister, K.S. Eshwarappa and others, who could then similarly mount pressure on him to be made DCM too, they point out.
Considering everything, he is likely to suggest to the party's central leadership that it should do away with the existing three Deputy Chief Ministers, Govinda Karjol, Laxman Savadi and Dr. Ashwath Narayana, according to sources.
Interestingly, senior minister R. Ashok has appealed to the Chief Minister to do away with the posts of Deputy Chief Ministers.
