Former Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) State President and sitting Lok Sabha member, Mr D.V. Sadananda Gowda, was sworn-in as 26th Chief Minister of Karnataka today. Some MLAs who were unhappy with the selection of Mr Sadananda Gowda boycotted the ceremony.

Mr Sadananda Gowda succeeds Mr B.S. Yeddyurappa, who was shown the door in the wake of the Lokayukta report indicting him on illegal mining in the state.

Now the biggest challenge for the Chief minister lies in handling the party rebels, who number over 50, and who are bound to give the BJP State leadership nightmares.

The next and immediate hurdle for Mr Gowda is his ministry formation which again may see huge dissent in the party.

At a simple ceremony, the Governor, Mr H.R. Bhardwaj, administered the oath of office to Mr Gowda at the Raj Bhavan's Glass House.

Rebel faction

The rebel BJP faction in the State headed by Mr Jagadish Shettar and his supporting MLAs boycotted the ceremony.

In sharp contrast, Mr Yeddyurappa's camp was jubilant as he appeared relaxed and shared some light moments with MLAs supporting him and repeatedly flashed his trade mark “victory” sign.

From the rebel faction it was only Mr Ananth Kumar, BJP's National General Secretary and the BJP's State unit President, Mr K.S. Eswarappa, who turned up at Raj Bhavan for the ceremony.

The absence of Mr Jagadish Shettar's faction openly showed that there is deep division in the ruling BJP despite all MLAs coming on to a common platform to vote for Mr Gowda.

Earlier in the day, coming out of breakfast meeting from Mr Jagadish Shettar's house the outgoing Home and Transport Minister, Mr R. Ashoka, who has been identified as part of the Shettar-Ananth faction, said Mr Shettar has rejected the offer for Deputy Chief Minister's post.

The open dissent in the State BJP has cast doubt whether Mr Gowda will complete the remaining term of 22 months.

Elections to the State Assembly are due in May 2013.

Policy continuance

Later addressing the press, Mr Gowda said there would not be any deviation in policies.

Importance will be given to schemes already announced and targeted at the poorer sections of the society.

He also promised to lay emphasis on “pro-development and people-friendly” government.

He also said he is planning an initiative to try and reach out to the rival camps in the party and take all the members into confidence.

“I intend to unite the entire party and take everybody into confidence and make the administrative machinery smooth,” he said.

Related Topics