Ashok, Sreeramalu can’t stomach ‘junior’ DyCMs, skip Nalin Kateel takeover event

Bengaluru: Rumblings of discontent were evident among senior BJP leaders here on Tuesday as the new state party president, Nalin Kumar Kateel took charge from outgoing president and Chief Minister, B.S.Yediyurappa.

Sulking were senior party leaders like industries minister Jagadish Shettar, revenue minister R. Ashok, health and family welfare minister, B. Sreeramalu, who were reportedly upset at junior party leaders being made Deputy Chief Ministers in the Yediyurappa government.

Mr. Ashok, who was shocked at the promotion of his junior, Ashwathnarayana as Deputy CM, did not attend the function where Mr Kateel officially took charge at the party office in Malleshwaram, according to party sources.

Although he accompanied the CM to the Kadu Malleshwaram temple near the BJP office, and greeted Mr. Kateel, who was also present, he skipped the event where he was officially anointed state BJP chief, held just 100 metres away.

The promotion of Mr. Ashwathnarayana, a Vokkaliga leader like him, is seen as a huge setback for Mr Ashok as he has always tried to be seen as the Vokkaliga face of the party. Besides, Mr. Ashok expected the Bengaluru Development ministry, but the CM has retained it reportedly at the request of BJP MLAs of Bengaluru.

Although Mr Shettar attended the function, he merely wished Mr Kateel and left early. It is believed he is upset at a junior leader like Mr Laxman Savadi being made Deputy CM, overlooking his own seniority. He is said to be particularly upset as party workers and leaders have seen him as the natural choice for the party’s Lingayat leadership after Mr Yediyurappa. But his dream of stepping into the latter’s shoes appears to have been quashed now with the party seeming to be grooming Mr. Savadi as its Lingayat face of the future. Valmiki strongman, B. Sreeramulu too skipped the event allegedly because he is unhappy with his portfolio and at being denied the post of Deputy CM.