Choice of Yediyurappa’s successor depends on BJP road map for Karnataka unit

Names of a few probables are doing the rounds on the basis of various political theories and formulae that will be at play while making the decision

The indication that Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa is getting set to step down has triggered speculation on who will succeed him. Though the ball is in the court of the Bharatiya Janata Party high command, which is known to make surprise decisions, State political circles are abuzz with different theories and formulae that will be at play while making the choice. The foremost question is whether the high command would want to appoint a Lingayat leader to assuage the feelings of the community, especially because it constitutes a big support base. The party is yet to forget the defeat suffered by it in the 2013 Assembly polls after a portion of the Lingayat vote base drifted away from it when Mr. Yediyurappa had severed links with it to float a new political outfit. Seers from the community are said to be trying to send a similar message this time too by rallying behind Mr. Yediyurappa.