Koshiyari likely to replace Khanduri

Former Uttarakhand Chief Minister Bhagat Singh Koshiyari is likely to succeed B C Khanduri as the new CM of the state, following Bhartiya Janata Party's defeat in the Lok Sabha polls.

Though Khanduri favoured State Minister for Tourism and Parliamentary Affairs Prakash Pant, but Koshiyari reportedly lobbied with the Thakurs in the state.

It was apparently Koshiyari's call for resignation from Rajya Sabha, which he withdrew later adhering to a party directive, which forced BJP to take a stand on the issue.

State Minister for Health Ramesh Pokhariyal may become the deputy chief minister.

Sources close to BJP strongman LK Advani said that the onus was on party MLA's to decide whether to back Koshiyari or some one else.

"It would be an open meeting and whatever is decided would be known to every one," said a close aide of Advani.

On Monday night, senior leaders of BJP held a long meeting at the residence of Advani to decide the fate of Khanduri. Though no decision was announced then, and it was only on Tuesday that the decision of Khanduri's resignation was made public.

BJP MLAs of Uttarakhand have been summoned to Delhi to decide the issue. The meeting is slated to be held around 4 pm on Tueday.