BJP mulls Lingayat strongman’s replacement
As the longest-serving BJP Chief Minister and ‘Lingayat’ strongman BS Yediyurappa readies to pave the way for a new incumbent, the BJP central leadership on Sunday considered candidates for the top post who may lead the party in the 2023 Assembly polls in the State which is the BJP’s “gateway” to South India.
Yediyurappa, 78, on Sunday gave enough hints that he has been asked to exit after completing the two-year term of his fourth tenure at the helm which falls on July 26 (Monday).
With the countdown for the change of guard nearing, several names are doing the rounds including those of central leaders from Karnataka.
Given that ‘Lingayat’ seers are demanding that there should not be any change of leadership, the BJP continued to play subtle and soft with BSY, as he is fondly called by people. On Sunday, BJP president JP Nadda said in Panjim, that Yediyurappa was doing good work and there was no leadership crisis in Karnataka.
Be that as it may, a change of guard seems inevitable with the BJP top leadership shortlisting the names of frontrunners for the Chief Minister’s job. These include Basavaraj Bommai (‘Lingayat’). At present he is the Home Minister of Karnataka and a close confidant of Yediyurappa.
Then there is the Mines and Geology Minister in the Karnataka Government Murugesh Nirani (‘Lingayat’) who is considered close to Union Home Minister Amit Shah; two-time MLA Arvind Bellad (‘Lingayat’) backed by the RSS; BJP general secretary (organisation) BL Santhosh (Brahmin); Union Minister Pralhad Joshi (Brahmin) and BJP general secretary CT Ravi (Vokkaliga).
The final decision would be taken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Shah and the RSS’ general secretary and second-in-command Dattatreya Hosabale, according to sources.
Among the probable candidates Santhosh is from an anti-BSY faction in the State.
In Bengaluru, Yediyurappa said he was waiting for direction from the BJP central leadership and “once it comes I will take an appropriate decision,” he said in response to a question on when the directions from the party high command in Delhi were expected.
To a question on pontiffs holding a mega conclave in Bengaluru which is seen as expressing solidarity with him, he said, “There is no need for pontiffs to hold any meeting, I have confidence in PM Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP national president JP Nadda.”
Questioned about a Dalit Chief Minister replacing him, Yediyurappa said, “I’m not the one to decide. It is for the high command to decide. Let’s first see what decision they will take today…” The Chief Minister added that if people were satisfied with his work, “that’s enough for me.”
He, however, indicated that Monday might be his last day in office.
According to reports, Yediyurappa, given a choice, is likely to name State Home Minister Bommai (61), as his successor.