Karnataka CM race hots up, MLA Arvind Bellad in Delhi

Amid rumours that Karnataka CM B. S. Yediyurappa will resign, CM aspirants in Karnataka are growing by the day and making their moves behind the scenes for the coveted post. Among such CM aspirants, Aravind Bellad, BJP MLA of Hubli-Dharwad West constituency, is in Delhi, trying to meet top BJP and RSS leaders.

Bangalore: Amid rumours that Karnataka CM B. S. Yediyurappa will resign, CM aspirants in Karnataka are making their moves behind the scene for the CM position. Among such CM aspirants, Aravind Bellad, BJP MLA of Hubli-Dharwad West constituency, is in Delhi, trying to meet the BJP high command. Earlier, Aravind Bellad travelled to Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh just two days ago, where he received the blessings of Dr Chandrashekhar Shivacharya Sri Jagadguru of the Kashi Peetha, one of the five Panchapeethas in the Jangamavadi Math.

Following his Varanasi visit, Aravind Bellad has arrived in Delhi. He is one of the strong contenders from the BJP to replace the incumbent Karnataka CM B. S. Yediyurappa, who has announced that he is likely to step down and the BJP high command is likely to announce the next Chief Minister of Karnataka on July 26. MLA Aravind Bellad has held talks with BJP National General Secretary CT Ravi at the BJP headquarters in New Delhi. He is now trying to meet high command and RSS leaders including BL Santosh.

Meanwhile, Karnataka Minister of Mines, Murugesh Nirani has also travelled to Varanasi and pay his obeisance in the Kashi Vishwanath Temple. It is being reported that he had discussions with prominent BJP leaders and RSS leaders in Uttar Pradesh. Former Karnataka Chief Minister and the current Minister of Large and Medium Scale Industries, Jagadish Shettar too has come to Delhi from his Gujrat tour. He too has met the leaders of BJP high command.

The political race for the CM chair is heating within the ranks of the Karnataka BJP. CM B. S. Yediyurappa has said that he has no political heir and will stand by the party's decision. BJP is likely to announce a fresh course of action in this matter most likely by July 26.