The ruling BJP Legislature party meeting to elect Jagadish Shettar as its leader was delayed this morning with outgoing Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda's camp insisting on their demands being met.
Ministers and MLAs loyal to Gowda are believed to be pushing for making him the party's state unit President, and KS Eshwarappa Deputy Chief Minister. They held a meeting at Gowda's residence, in an apparent show of strength.
They have also demanded equal number of ministerial berths to their camp, and announcing the names of Ministers and constitution of the Shettar cabinet at one go, sources said.
Transport and Home Minister R Ashoka is also making a vigorous behind-the-scenes moves to become Deputy Chief Minister, party sources said.
BJP central leaders Arun Jaitley and Rajnath Singh are already in the city as party observers for the legislature party meeting, which was slated to start at 11am, and offer guidance on ministry formation issues.
According to sources, BJP central leadership is not in favour of creating the post of Deputy Chief Minister.
Buckling under pressure from Yeddyurappa, the BJP central leadership on Sunday decided to opt for a change of leadership in a bid to end the leadership tussle in the state unit.
Sadananda Gowda loyalist and MLA, H S Shankarlinge Gowda said the outgoing Chief Minister's camp would not attend the legislature party meeting till their demands are met.
The group is demanding state unit presidentship to Gowda, making Eshwarappa Deputy Chief Minister and 20 ministerial berths, he said.
He said 46 MLAs and eight MLCs attended the meeting held at Gowda's residence. "We are ready to resign (if our demands are not met)", Shankarlinge Gowda said.
Meanwhile, members of the B S Yeddyurappa faction arrived at a hotel, where the legislature party meeting was slated to be held, while those backing Gowda stayed put at his residence.
Jaitley and Singh also held discussions with Yeddyurappa, and later with Gowda and Eshwarappa to break the deadlock of sorts.
Yeddyurappa's camp let it be known to the media that it has the support of more than 60 MLAs, as both sides sought to flex their muscle.
