New Delhi, Jul 10: After former Karnataka CM BS Yeddyurappa made the right noises and pulled the right strings, he managed to arm-twist the BJP high command to have his way and elevate his nominee, Jagadish Shettar as the new CM. He is likely to take oath on Jul 11. Putting a tumultuous Karnataka BJP crisis to an end, Shettar will take as the new CM of the first BJP-ruled government in South India.

Shettar currently holding charge as the Rural Development Minister has been zeroed in to become the new CM with senior BJP leaders Arun Jaitley and Rajnath Singh arriving in Bangalore on Monday to discuss on cabinet positions, allocation of key berths and other Ministries. Karnataka in-charge Dharmendra Pradhan will also oversee the discussions.

Current CM Sadananda Gowda had to bow down from the CM’s post after Yeddyurappa displayed pressure tactics and criticised the Gowda government on its functioning. The move had embittered the Vokkaliga community after Shettar hailing from the Lingayat community was nominated as the CM. The matter has also caused a divide in the state BJP camp on those against and others supporting Yeddyurappa.

Now the race is for the Deputy CM post for which the contenders are R Ashoka, reportedly supported by MP HN Ananth Kumar, Govind Karjol, propped up by the Gowda camp as well as Eshwarappa. In the occasion of Eshwarappa becoming the Deputy CM, the state BJP President post may fall vacant. There are reports that Yeddyurappa may stake claim to this post, something that the central leadership is not happy with.

With the Yeddyurappa and Gowda camp in a tug-of-war for the Deputy CM post, it remains to be seen on who will grab the honours.