Change of guard in state soon?

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: As the Karnataka Assembly pol ls approach, the top brass of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is reportedly considering replacing Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai with someone more dynamic to improve its prospects in the southern citadel of the party.

According to sources, the central leadership which had selected Bommai for the top post replacing BS Yediyurappa six months ago, is not too happy with his performance as Chief Minister or his achievements. Since the BJP is now busy with the elections in five states, a decision on removing Bommai and finding a replacement will be taken once the polls conclude in March, said sources.

Sources said the high command is unhappy over the defeats in recent byelections and local body polls, including one in Bommai’s own district Haveri, where the party lost the Hangal bypoll. Further, the resentment of several state Ministers and MLAs against the Chief Minister has intensified in recent months.

The BJP high command may select a young face ahead of the Assembly polls slated for the next year. The new face can be from the politically-influential Panchamasaali Lingayat community. The party may also go for a Dalit face for the Chief Ministerial post.

On the other hand, there has been talk of a cabinet restructuring where many senior Ministers like KS Eshwarappa, Murugesh Nirani, CC Patil and Prabhu Chauhan are likely to be dropped. Also, four berths in the state cabinet are vacant and 40 MLAs are lobbying for these posts. There are also reports that several MLAs, especially those who migrated from JD(S) and Congress, are in touch with other parties.

Top BJP sources said that the high command may change the Chief Minister first and then restructure the state cabinet in order to strengthen the Karnataka unit.