Karnataka news live: DK Shivakumar challenges BJP to go for polls
Karnataka news live: DK Shivakumar challenges BJP to go for polls
Karnataka CM BS Yediyurappa on Sunday morning said he was expecting a message from BJP high command about the leadership change in the state by today evening. Yediyurappa completes two years in office on July 26 in his fourth innings as CM and there are indications he may be asked to resign. Party sources privy to developments said the central leadership has shortlisted a dozen names with the 2023 assembly polls in mind. Karnataka is significant since it’s BJP’s gateway to the south. Stay with TOI for all the latest updates:Read Less
Some also cite the example of 1990 when then Congress chief and Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi had unceremoniously declared the exit of then CM Veerendra Patil, a Lingayat. After his exit, the Lingayat vote turned towards BJP and boosted its prospects in the state. Even though Congress came to power twice, its attempts to woo the Lingayats back to its fold failed. BJP may not want to make the same mistake by appointing a non-Lingayat CM.
Ahead of the 2013 assembly polls, Yediyurappa quit BJP and launched his own party (KJP) and garnered 10 per cent of Lingayat votes, ensuring defeat of BJP candidates in a number of constituencies and thus helping Congress, which came to power.