Will Shettar succeed Bommai in run-up to 2023 polls?

Shyam Sundar Vattam | NT

I s former Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar set to step into the shoes of incumbent CM Basavaraj Bommai for the next 12 months to revv up the ruling BJP’s prospects in the 2023 Assembly polls?

This has become a hot topic of discussion in political circles in the wake of two rounds of meetings between Shettar and Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi in the last 15-20 days. If Shettar gets the nod of the BJP high command, history will repeat in Karnataka which had three CMs between 2008 and 2013 with B.S. Yediyurappa, D.V. Sadananda Gowda and Jagadish Shettar taking turns to fill the hot seat. Going by the indications emerging from the BJP central leadership, Shah seems to be in favour of giving another chance to Shettar to rule the state until April-May, 2023 when the Assembly elections are due.

Bommai’s tenure has been anything but peaceful with many ministers not even on talking terms. A few ministers have gone to the extent of fighting in public with the CM looking helpless in controlling them. The high command knows that most ministers do not consider Bommai their leader and have been acting as per their whims and fancies. As for state BJP President Nalinkumar Kateel, he is hardly seen cracking the whip on those who are indisciplined. A free for all situation prevails in the State BJP said sources.

Shah had summoned Shettar to Delhi to get information about the performance of the Bommai government in the last six months, people’s perception, party workers’ mood and the rapport between the CM and his Ministers. The former BJP National President is curious to know what should be done to retain power in the 2023 Assembly polls.

Sources told News Trail that Shah was more interested in listening to Shettar than give an audience to Bommai. Shah is reportedly very upset with the failure of Bommai to handle the hijab row and control Hindu right wing organisations which have become a law unto themselves. The CM is reportedly not allowing the police to take stern action against those who have been calling for restrictions taking refuge under the shadow of the BJP Government. This has made the high command ask why no action has been initiated against these elements who are tarnishing the image of BJP.

Sources said the high command is contemplating revamping the whole Karnataka ministry and replacing the CM too so that a strong team can hit the streets before the 2023 Assembly polls.