Ending the speculation, the BJP announced the resignation of the Karnataka Chief Minister, Mr Sadananda Gowda. The State Rural Development Minister, Mr Jagadish Shettar, will succeed him.
Mr Shettar will be the third Chief Minister of the saffron party’s first government in South India.
The former Chief Minister, Mr B.S. Yeddyurappa has been pitching for Mr Gowda’s replacement with Mr Shettar.
Addressing reporters here, Mr Gowda said his decision to resign was to protect the party’s “best interest” in the State. The election to the State Assembly is due in May, 2013.
Announcing the decision, the BJP president, Mr Nitin Gadkari, said Mr Gowda resigned from the post keeping in view of the “current political situation” in the State. He appreciated the works done by Mr Gowda in the last 11 months as Chief Minister.
“There were no complaints against him on grounds of corruption but keeping the party’s interest in mind, as a good party worker, he has resigned,” Mr Gadkari said, adding that the party has decided to hand over the leadership to Mr Shettar.
It was reported that senior leader, Mr L.K. Advani was not in favour of a change in leadership. He was of the view that Mr Gowda should be allowed to continue till the end of the government’s term as he could “improve” the party’s image in the State.
However, it is learnt that the BJP central leadership decided to remove Mr Gowda to placate Mr Yeddyurappa. Mr Gadkari said there is no plan to appoint Deputy Chief Ministers in the State.
Cong reaction
Criticising the “frequent” changes in the government, the Congress, reiterated its demand for dissolution of the State Assembly.
The Congress general secretary, Mr B.K. Hariprasad, said the “drama” in the State BJP will continue after three months as Mr Shettar will be a puppet in “someone else’s hands.”
“Change of guard in Karnataka is victory for corruption. This is only a cosmetic change, which will not bring any substantial improvement in governance, which is at the receiving end there,” he added.