Bangalore: The stage is fairly set for the election (not nomination, nor a selection by hand-picking) of the new Chief Minister for Karnataka, following the resignation of B.S Yeddyurappa on Sunday after 3 years 2 months as BJP CM. There is a keen contest between a nominee of outgoing CM, and a fellow cabinet minister of CM who is also a Lingayat and ex-speaker.
The BJP state unit Chief K.S Eshwarappa, has opted out of the contest, while other candidates (including MP, D.V Sadananda Gowda) have no voice of their own, expressed about their burning desire to head the state cabinet and form a Govt.
Aspirants like R.Ashok and Dr.VS Acharya have no backing. The High Command representatives who went back to Delhi on Monday, have told that they have sought all 120 MLAs and for MLCs for personal opinions on CM. H.N Ananthkumar has been strictly told by L.K Advani not to meddle in state MLAs politics. The same could hold good for DVS Gowda who is an MP.
Ananth has reserved 10 rooms in Asoka Hotel next door, to accommodate his followers siding with Gowda. The voting 105 MLAs are in various resorts to pick their candidate on Aug 2 or 3. Although Eshwarappa pretends all legislators are united it is the party High Command that will finally announce the next CM on Aug.3.