BY Vijayendra's three-year term as Karnataka BJP chief has ended, and the party's central leaders are weighing whether his successor should be a Lingayat.
Names being discussed include Sunil Kumar, Shobha Karandlaje, Tejasvi Surya and CN Ashwath Narayan. Lingayats, about 15 to 17 per cent of the state's population, have long been the party's core support.
Past non-Lingayat chiefs have produced uneven outcomes. If one is picked, a Lingayat is expected to become leader of the opposition, with Aravind Bellad being considered.
Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar has accused the state BJP of staying silent over lab tests showing ethanol above the 20% cap in petrol from 67 outlets. He says the Centre must explain the discrepancies.
He claimed petrol vehicle owners are facing engine trouble and poor mileage, while the BJP is protesting price rises. He also hit out at state BJP chief B.Y. Vijayendra over recent remarks about Congress leaders.
A first list of 500 directors for boards and corporations has been signed, and two more lists will follow.
Karnataka CM D K Shivakumar says the BJP should first address concerns over ethanol in petrol before protesting price hikes. He claims the blend has hurt mileage and damaged engines.
The state says E20 samples from seven districts had up to 31 per cent ethanol, above the 20 per cent limit. Shivakumar wants the Centre to probe the fuel's source and quality, and says he is not blaming pump operators.
Meanwhile, the BJP staged a Bengaluru protest against rising prices. State chief B Y Vijayendra warned it could reach panchayat level if the hikes are not withdrawn.
News India Xtra@newsIndiaxtra
