No change in Karnataka CM Basavaraj Bommai, say BJP ministers

BENGALURU: In response to a series of tweets by Congress that chief minister Basavaraj Bommai is set to be replaced, senior BJP functionaries and ministers on Wednesday reiterated that there won't be any change of guard in the state. BJP patriarch BS Yediyurappa said Bommai will complete his term and indicated that state BJP president Nalin Kumar Kateel is likely to be replaced as his tenure is set to end on August 28.
The furore started after Congress picked up a comment made by disgruntled former BJP legislator B Suresh Gowda and said Bommai's days as CM are numbered, besides calling him a "puppet CM".

For the third day running, senior BJP functionaries and ministers continued to rally behind chief minister Basavaraj Bommai, insisting he will not be replaced at the helm.
The furor built after Congress, picking up on a comment made by disgruntled former BJP legislator B Suresh Gowda, said in a series of tweets that Bommai was on his way out, and the state will see a third BJP chief minister in three years. Congress also labelled Bommai a “puppet CM”.
Former chief minister and BJP patriarch BS Yediyurappa, on Wednesday, stepped up to categorically state Bommai will complete his tenure. But he indicated state BJP president Nalin Kumar Kateel is likely to be replaced as his tenure is set to end on August 28.
“Who will replace Kateel will be decided by the high command,” Yediyurappa said. He also said talk that the BJP high command has decided to replace Bommai is mere speculation. “There is no truth in it. There is no question of changing the CM when assembly elections are just 7-8 months away. He [Bommai] will continue as the CM,” Yediyurappa said.
On his recent meeting with Union home minister Amit Shah in Bengaluru, Yediyurappa said they had discussed the state’s political situation besides “other things”. “We did not discuss a leadership change,” he said. As for his meeting with for mer chief minister Jagadish Shettar, Yediyurappa said, “He is a senior leader and former CM. He had come to discuss political developments on getting to know that I’m going out of town.”
Meanwhile several ministers rallied behind Bommai. Revenue minister R Ashoka said Congress in Karnataka is divided between opposition leader Siddaramaiah and KPCC president DK Shivakumar and the differences have widened after Siddaramaiah’s birthday bash in Davanagere recently.
“To hush it up, Congress is spreading lies about a change in chief minister,” Ashoka said. “Did Amit Shah tell you? Instead of indulging in rumour mongering, let Congress leaders rush to the help of people affected by floods.” In a bid to turn tables, he also sought to know who Congress’ chief ministerial candidate is. “If you are brave enough let people know who your CM candidate is?” he said.