Bangalore, Jul 10 (PTI) The ruling BJP in Karnataka today faced a fresh crisis after outgoing Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda placed a set of demands in a last minute counter move against rival B S Yeddyurappa, delaying the legislature party meeting. Gowda's camp insisted on the party president's post for him, deputy Chief Ministership for K S Eshwarappa and half the ministerial berths for the group, and acceptance of their demands before the meeting, as indications emerged that the change of guard would be not be a smooth affair. With caste polarisation fully evident, the Gowda group, citing 'social justice,' pushed for key representation to the Vokkaliga community (Sadananda Gowda) and Kurubas Eshwarappa). Chief Minister designate Jagadish Shettar is from the Lingayat community, counted by BJP as its key vote-base. A section of the Vokkaliga community has come out in the open supporting Sadananda Gowda. Ministers and MLAs loyal to Gowda, including Eshwarappa, Balachandra Jarkiholi and S Suresh Kumar, met at Sadananda Gowda's residence, in an apparent show of strength, and showed no signs of going to the legislature party meeting venue. The Yeddyurappa faction turned up for the meeting, slated to begin at 11 AM to formally elect Shettar as its leader, paving the way for his appointment as Chief Minister succeeding Sadananda Gowda. But things did not go according to the script. (MORE)
