Sadananda Gowda has his work cut out as K'taka CM

It was the name that was doing the rounds in the media since ousted Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa was asked to resign following the Lokayukta report on illegal mining.

Karnataka's new chief minister Sadananda Gowda comes in at a time when the state is reeling under a crisis. Political observers say that he has a tough job ahead, and most important of them all would be to keep the party intact in the wake of this clear split in the state Bharatiya Janata Party since the past few days.

The two-time legislator and Member of Parliament will have to first emerge out of Yeddyurappa's shadow and work for the state. He will be constantly analysed and he will have to negate all talks that he is holding the chair only until Yeddyurappa is able to make a come back.

While these are internal matters for Gowda, the biggest issue is that he will have to deal with the pressure of acting on the Lokayukta report and that probably is the biggest job ahead for him.

Within the BJP, he has a mixed image. His camp says he is humble, approachable and is capable of doing good work. However, his rivals call him a rubber stamp with no experience and even go to the extent of saying that he is incapable of working for more than six hours a day.

Born to DV Gowda and Kamala at Devaragunda in Dakshina Kannada district, he is a science and law graduate. He is married to Dotty Sadananda, who hails from Coorg, and has a son.

While there are more negatives that emerge, people say he should be given a chance to prove himself. Many even question his capability as an advocate and say that his primary interest has always been politics. He is not hotheaded like Yeddyurappa and is capable of keeping his colleagues in good spirits and also the flock together.

The BJP says that they need someone for now who will not antagonise the rest of the flock since the primary goal at the moment is to ensure that the party remains united.

However, Gowda, who is an ardent lover of folk music, badminton, tennis and kho kho apart from the famous Yakshagana, will have to rise from the image of a rubber stamp chief minister and work independently alongside a possible deputy who most likely will be Jagadish Shettar.

On Wednesday, Gowda, in a brief media interaction said that he wants to work hard for the public and will carry on the good work done by his predecessor. Gowda, however, said that he is aware that the road ahead is tough, but also adds that he has the support of his entire party who will help him perform.