Bengaluru 10 August : The ruling BJP in Karnataka is in mode of damage control due to reports of chief minister Basavaraj Bommai’s replacement.The BJP that is still struggling to overcome the ire of party members and Hindu activists after the killing of Praveen Kumar Nettare who was an BJP Yuva Morcha member, now faces the responsibility of clarifying the issue of leadership when assembly elections are only eight months away.Sources in the BJP said that the issue came up with the remarks of Suresh Gowda who was a former MLA from the Tumakuru constituency.Gowda is often referred to as the blue eyed boy of the Union Minister of State Shobha Karandlaje of Karnataka suggested that there might change in the leadership of the party before the 15th of August.
He claimed that the transition of leadership was executed before by the high command , even when it is only a brief time remaining for the elections for the assembly.
In the wake of this the opposition Congress which gained momentum after the huge birthday celebration of Siddaramaiah organized by its party lashed out at the Karnataka BJP over the leadership change issue.
The Congress on its social media handles declared that Karnataka will have its third CM in the near future, as it witnessed in the previous term of the BJP government.It also stated that senior leaders as well as cabinet members have opted to keep their secrets a secret following the trip of the Union Home Minister Amit Shah to Bengaluru recently due to the same reason.
Sources in the BJP confirmed Bommai is not getting the same support he once enjoyed.Amit Shah had stated that the elections for the assembly will be fought under the direction of Bommai much to the dismay of many CM candidates.
It’s a known fact that a lot of hardcore Hindutva supporters within the party disapprove of Bommai and would like to see to see a change in the leadership.However, the top command is hesitant about the issue, according to sources.
Former Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa stated on Wednesday that there were rumours that there could change in the post of the CM.Such a question does not arise.Basavaraj Bommai will remain in the position of CM for another eight months, he clarified.
Minister of Revenue R Ashok said that Bommai will be the face of the saffron-colored party going into the elections for the assembly.”If you (Congress) are able to make a declaration of the CM candidate prior to elections,” he said.
BJP state president Nalin Kumar Kateel has also supported Basavaraj Bommai and said that he will remain the CM until the expiration of his term and that there is no possibility of any change in the leadership.
Sources in the BJP have said that anything could occur since Yediyurappa is completely focused on the launch of his son B Y Vijayendra.The top management is concentrated on winning the elections on an Hindutva plank.
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