While one headache for the Bharatiya Janata Party is over on Wednesday with the appointment of a new chief minister in Sadananda Gowda, the other one that remains is to keep the rival faction happy.
Although there is a happy image that has been painted after Gowda's selection, the rival faction continues to sulk.
To maintain a balance in the party, the senior leadership has said that it would offer the post of deputy CM to Rural Development Minister Jagadish Shettar, who lost by a small margin in the secret ballot that was held in Bengaluru on Wednesday.
Although there is no official announcement, there are talks on to make Shettar the deputy CM. The BJP feels that Shettar, who is a senior leader and has worked for the party deserves a high posting to this effect.
The Yeddyurappa camp has however shown no objection to Shettar's appointment. Earlier, when leaders from New Delhi went in for the meeting they had said that Gowda would be made the CM and Shettar the Dy CM. However, the Shettar faction backed by party general secretary Ananth Kumar were opposed to that, and said that it would be better if they went in for a vote.
When Shettar lost, there were signs of cracks, but the party was quick to enter into a damage control exercise.
After the voting, Yeddyurappa went on to stage and proposed Gowda's name. Shettar and K S Eshwarappa immediately seconded Gowda's name for the post, and said that they would all work together.
Sources say that Shettar may take up the post, since he is also under pressure from his supporters to have a bigger say in government affairs. Moreover, the party also feels that there would be a check and balance in the manner of administration if Shettar is given the post.
In addition to this, the Lingayat community which contributes largely to BJP's vote bank will also be happy if Shettar is given a top post.
Image: Rural Development Minister Jagadish Shettar
