BJP ready with Karnataka formula

A compromise formula has taken shape to resolve Karnataka's leadership impasse, envisaging MP DV Sadanand Gowda — BS Yeddyurappa's nominee — as the new CM and revenue minister Jagdish Shettar, perhaps, as his deputy.

A compromise formula has taken shape to resolve Karnataka's leadership impasse, envisaging MP DV Sadanand Gowda — BS Yeddyurappa's nominee — as the new CM and revenue minister Jagdish Shettar, perhaps, as his deputy.

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Gowda is a Vokkalinga and Shettar is a Lingayat like BSY, but not his camp follower.

The formula will not see BSY as the state BJP chief, which will remain with current occupant KS Eshwarappa, a Kuruppa community leader.

Arun Jaitley, leader of opposition in Rajya Sabha, who along with Rajnath Singh met BJP MLAs, said: "We have met 118 of the 121 MLAs on one-to-basis as part of democratic process to choose the next leader. We are working for acceptable and amicable solution."

BSY also sounded hopeful of a settlement, indicating that tension of the last three days was ebbing.

"I am confident that the national leaders will solve the leadership issue in Karnataka amicably, which will be just and proper."

Central BJP leaders acknowledged that numbers were in favour of BSY's nominee. General secretary Ananth Kumar, who was one of the CM aspirants, is now backing Shettar.

"I am a contender (for the CM's post)," Shettar said in Bangalore. "BJP MLAs have expressed a wish that I should become CM."

But the Congress stepped up its attack on BJP. Congress spokesperson Manish Tewari alleged BSY quit on the condition that the Lokayukta report on illegal mining would be rejected by the state government.

"We also want to appeal to the Supreme Court. Since they are monitoring the issue of illegal mining, these reports coming in vernacular media should be considered with all seriousness."