Karnataka crisis: D V Gowda resigns from CM post, Jagdish Shettar set for new CM

Bhartiya Janta Party leader D V Sadanand Gowda, who first was assessed loyalist to strong BJP leader of Karnataka and former Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa that later turned to later's opponent, on Wednesday has reportedly submitted his resignation to Karnataka Governor Hansraj Bhardwaj.

His resignation came a day after Party's core committee's decision to replace Rural Development Minister Jagadish Shettar with D V Sadanand Gowda as a new Chief Minister.

Shettar is considered as loyalist to Yeddyurappa, who mounted huge pressure on BJP high command to change CM. Yeddyurappa was facing graft charges.

According to media reports, the resignation of Sadanand Gowda came amid high drama as his supporters were trying to prevent him in the way who was going to state governor for submitting his resignation.

After appeasing to his supporters in way and at the Raj Bhawan, Gowda set to submit his resignation to the governor.

Jagadish Shettar, the chosen candidate for the third CM of Karnataka within four years after BJP came into the power in the state in 2008, Wednesday met to the Governor just half an hour later after Gowda's resigning.

Shettar is likely to be sworn on Wednesday evening or on Thursday.

"The governor has accepted the resignation of D V Sadanand Gowda and invited Shettar to take oath as chief minister and to form the government at the earliest," BJP paerty president in Karnatka K S Eshwarappa told reporters later.

The party's central observer Rajnath Singh, general secretary Ananth Kumar and former chief minister B S Yedduyurappa accompanied Shettar to Raj Bhavan.

"Shettar will take oath Thursday on the lawns of Raj Bhavan. Efforts are on to swear-in some legislators as cabinet ministers. Names will be discussed and finalised by late Wednesday or early Thursday," Eshwarappa said.

Shettar, 56, represents Hubli assembly segment in north Karnataka.

--With IANS Inputs--