Power struggle for CM chair continues in Karnataka

Had it not been for a last-minute intervention on the part of BJP leader Dharmendra Pradhan, Karnataka chief minister DV Sadananda Gowda (DVS) would have landed in Delhi on Thursday to pressure the central leadership to let him continue in office.

Had it not been for a last-minute intervention on the part of BJP leader Dharmendra Pradhan, Karnataka chief minister DV Sadananda Gowda (DVS) would have landed in Delhi on Thursday to pressure the central leadership to let him continue in office.

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What followed was a replication of the events of Wednesday, Again Gowda and his 11 supporting ministers met at his residence. They resolved to step down if the party leadership decided to change the chief minister.

Gowda had this to say: “The government will complete its five-year term (in 2013) and I will continue as chief minister. There is no question of changing the leadership here.”

The group led by former chief minister BS Yeddyuruppa (BSY) is not willing to take things lying down.

His supporters played their part by holding a meeting at Lingayat leader Jagadish Shettar's residence and decided to pressure the party high command to make him (Shettar) chief minister.

MLA BP Hareesh said: “We will never step back from our demand of changing the leadership. Shettar has to be made chief minister. The high command has asked us to wait for some time and we are waiting patiently.”