Replacing Karnataka CM: BJP to decide in a week

Indicating the imminent replacement of D V Sadananda Gowda as Karnataka chief minister, State Bharatiya Janata Party president K S Eshwarappa on Friday said he believed that the party has solved the leadership issue and would abide by their decision.

"I believe that the party's central leaders have solved the leadership issue and all state leaders will abide by whatever decision they take," he told reporters after visiting a temple near Mandya, some 91 km from Bengaluru.

A decision from the party's central leadership is likely to be conveyed within a week, Eshwarappa reiterated.

He also said the party would continue to provide good governance to the people in coming days. "The party will like to give good government as Gowda and former chief minister B S Yeddyurappa have done," he said.

In spite of the political crisis, the people of the state have shown faith in the BJP as it is reflected in the party winning five of the six seats in the recently held Council elections, Eshwarappa said.

Taking a dig at the Congress, Eshwarappa said the question of dissolving the assembly does not arise as the people have "blessed" the party to complete its five year term.

"But if the Congress conspires to force an early assembly elections, the BJP is ready to face it," he said.

Meanwhile, Karnataka Home Minister R Ashok said the party's central leadership would issue a directive in the next two to three days.

The B S Yeddyurappa faction has been seeking Sadananda Gowda's removal and projecting Rural Development Minister Jagadish Shettar as the alternative.