Jarkiholi to save day for DV Sadananda Gowda

[1]

With former chief minister B.S. Yeddyurappa blowing hot and cold on the leadership issue and giving no definite indication of his future plans, the BJP central leadership is preparing for the worst in Karnataka.

If Yedyurappa decides to break away and carries a substantial chunk of BJP MLAs with him, the party will be relying on the ‘good offices’ of municipal administration minister Balachandra Jarkiholi to save its first government in south India.

Jarkiholi and his camp of legislators from north Karnataka are unwilling to be part of a government headed by BSY.

It will be the JD(S) the BJP will be looking to for support and Jarkiholi — who was earlier in that party till the 2008 Assembly polls before joining the BJP — would be just the right man to shore up an alliance. Party sources told Deccan Chronicle that Mr Jarkiholi has been tipped off about his responsibility, when he led a delegation to New Delhi recently.

Soon after his return, Jarkiholi met JD(S) floor leader in the Assembly H.D. Revanna and raised the question of support.

Mr Revanna who discussed this with JD(S) supremo H.D. Deve Gowda, said his party was not averse to the idea if the BJP fell short by around 27 seats—the strength of the JD(S) in the Assembly.