Who will replace BS Yediyurappa if he steps down as Karnataka next CM? List of frontrunners

Bengaluru, July 25: Amid the ongoing talks of 78-year-old Lingayat strongman and Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa resigining from his post, many names are popping up as frontrunners to replace him.

According to TOI, BJP has shortlisted eight persons for the post and added that most likely a Lingayat will be picked to take forward the legacy of Yediyurappa in the state.

Though the speculated names have dismissed any such possibility and attributed such speculations to mere political rumours.

Here is the list of frontrunners:

• Murugesh Nirani
• Union minister Pralhad Joshi
• Basavaraj S Bommai
• C T Ravi
• B L Santhosh
• Arvind Bellad
• Jagadish Shettar

Apart from them, other names Karnataka Assembly Speaker Vishveshwar Hegde Kageri, Karnataka deputy chief minister CN Ashwath Narayan are also in the race.

Dalit Chief Minister?

Questioned about a Dalit Chief Minister replacing him, Yediyurappa said, "I'm not the one to decide about it, it is for the high command to decide. Let''s first see what decision they will take today..."

Indicating that Monday might be his last day in office, Yediyurappa had recently said that based on the instructions that the central leaders will give him on July 25, he will get on with "his work" from July 26.

His government will complete two years in office on July 26.

Pontiffs to hold mega conclave in Bengaluru

Meanwhile, scores of pontiffs are expected to participate in a "mega conclave" to be held today on Sunday, coinciding with the possible decision by the BJP central leadership on his exit.

Dingaleshwar Swamiji of Balehosur mutt, who had held a press meet here on July 23 to inform about the conclave with other Swamijis, had refused to connect the event directly with the possible leadership change, but it is being widely seen as an attempt to muster support to Yediyurappa and send out a message.