Rebels home in on Shettar

BANGALORE:While chief minister B S Yeddyurappa's camp meeting was at Davalagiri (hisprivate residence), his detractors' was at Parijata (minister G JanardhanReddy's residence), and by afternoon, the loyalists had shifted base to VidhanaSoudha and the Reddy camp to Vikasa Soudha.With the two meetings going full steam ahead, the most sought after person was legislative assembly Speaker Jagadish Shettar. Reason: Shettar has been seen as an alternative to Yeddyurappa in the event of a change of guard. Shettar had severalvisitors, and among them was Yeddyurappa's loyal and transport minister RAshoka. The latter, however, said he was playing the role of trouble-shooter.Prior to him, energy minister K S Eshwarappa also held talks withShettar.With the political scene hotting up, around 70 MLAs areexpected to meet Shettar on Thursday and ask him to take over the leadership. Onhis part, Shettar said though many legislators had approached him, he would takea decision at the appropriate time.Why is Shettar seen as analternative to Yeddyurappa? As the CM is a Lingayat, rebels want to replace himwith another Lingayat. This ploy is to escape the wrath of the community, whichconstitutes a large chunk of population in the state.Now it alldepends on Shettar's move. He has been unhappy as he was not keen on theSpeaker's post. Sources said Shettar was almost ready to resign on Monday, butwas stopped by his well-wishers. When contacted, Shettar said he would wait andwatch the developments.toiblr.reporter@timesgroup.com