Leadership tussle overshadows 4-year-rule of BJP in Karnataka

Bangalore, Jun 28: The

government in

today sought to showcase achievements of its four-year rule even as speculation persisted over change of leadership of Chief Minister

.

Gowda advanced his press conference by a couple of hours today and postponed a scheduled dinner for the media tonight as he planned a sudden visit to Delhi to meet the party's central leaders in the wake of a renewed bid by the BS Yeddyurappa faction seeking his scalp.

Asked about his Delhi visit, he said, "As a Chief Minister, going to Delhi can't be questioned by anybody. At present I have got certain works in Delhi. So I need to go there".

He also dismissed reports of change of leadership, saying there had been "speculation" ever since the party came to power in the State. "It (speculation) continues".

But minutes later, the Chief Minister cancelled the trip after the high-command let it be known that there is no need for him to come to the capital, party sources said.

The Yeddyurappa faction is propping up the candidature of Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister Jagadish Shettar to replace Gowda, even as there are reports that state unit President KS Eshwarappa and senior party leader HN Ananth Kumar are also in the race.

PTI