As CM BS Yediyurappa is set to step down, BJP's probables for the top post
On July 26, the BJP government will not only complete its two years in office but also see a stalwart BJP leader CM BS Yediyurappa step down. As soon as he dropped a hint of stepping down two days ago, a list of names are doing rounds to occupy his chair.
FollowWith CM BS Yediyurappa likely to resign on July 26 on the day when BJP completes two years, names of Murugesh Nirani, Prahalad Joshi, CT Ravi, CN Ashwath Narayan, Aravind Bellad, Basavaraj Bommai are in the race to occupy the post of next Karnataka Chief Minister.
While Ashwath Narayan, Bommai are said to be from BS Yediyurappa's camp, others are identified with central leadership and few are groomed by the RSS.
Murugesh Nirani: Murugesh Nirani, who is 55 years and three-term MLA. At present, he represents Bilgi in North Karnataka and is Minister for Mines and Geology in the present government.
He was earlier identified with the BS Yediyurappa camp and served as Sugar and Industries Minister during Yediyurappa's tenure as CM between 2008-2010.
Nirani is from the Panchamasali section of Lingayat community and he had to lobby hard to get into the current Cabinet and only after central leaders' intervention, he was roped into the current Cabinet during the recent reshuffle. Recently in January, Amit Shah had inaugurated Nirani Group of Industries in Bagalkot and had appreciated Nirani's effort in providing employment. Being a Lingayat might work to his advantage as the party may not want to antagonize the dominant caste.
Dr CN Ashwath Narayan: Another name that is also doing rounds for the last few months to occupy the CM post is deputy CM Dr CN Ashwath Narayan.
Ashwath Narayan is also a three-time MLA from Malleshwaram and is identified with BS Yediyurappa's camp. Narayan is from the Vokkaliga caste which is the second dominant caste and has its presence by and large in the old Mysore region. Narayan is 52 years old and has a bright chance of making it if the high command deems him fit for the post.
Prahalad Joshi: The central minister and former BJP state president is identified with central leader BL Santosh. Joshi who represents the Hubli-Dharwad Lok Sabha segment is Brahmin and still enjoys much support in Lingayat circles; his win over rivals in Congress and JD(S) since 2004 is evidence of this fact.
Joshi's name came to the limelight when he mobilised the group to hoist the Tricolour flag at Eidgah Maidan in Hubballi in 1992 and 1994.
CT Ravi: Firebrand Hindutva leader was once a BS Yediyurappa loyalist.
He represents the Chikkamagaluru Assembly segment and is a four-time MLA. He belongs to the Vokkaliga caste. In 2012 when the BJP was nearing its first-ever term in power in south India, Ravi was made Higher Education Minister. Again when the party formed the government by destabilizing Congress-JD(S) government, he was made Tourism Minister and later he was elevated to General Secretary's post. Due to his right-wing ideology he could be one of the picks for the CM post.
Aravind Bellad: A two-time MLA and less known face is a long-standing BJP leader.
He is 51 now and represents the Dharwad-West Assembly segment for the second time. The other factor that may work in his favor is he comes from the Lingayat caste and follows RSS principles. Bellad is also well qualified and comes from an engineering background.
He is reportedly lobbying hard to get the post and has camped in Delhi trying to meet central leaders.
Basavaraj Bommai: Bommai son of former CM SR Bommai and BS Yediyurappa loyalist may also become lucky if the party high command agrees to one of the terms by CM that one of his men replace him. 61-year-old Bommai is a mechanical engineer and began his political career with Janata Dal and in 2008 he joined BJP. Bommai is also a Lingayat.
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