But the JD (S) did not officially announce Kumaraswamy as the DyCM candidate in spite of JD(S) Legislature Party endorsing his candidature. The party decision was unanimous.

But Kumaraswamy, briefing the media, however, said senior party leaders, including national president H D Deve Gowda, will finalise the candidate.

According to party sources, the DyCM’s post has become a sensitive issue within Gowda’s family as both Kumaraswamy and his elder brother H D Revanna are aspiring for the post. Though Revanna told reporters after JD(S)LP meeting he is not aspiring for the post, he is still pursuing his ambition of becoming the DyCM.

Pressure from Revanna’s family members is more on Gowda than Revanna himself, to make him the Dy CM, sources said.

Sources said Revanna was against convening JD(S)LP meeting to discuss the issue as he was well aware that MLAs would prefer Kumaraswamy for the post. But Kumaraswamy convinced his father to call the meeting, sources said.

So was the reason, sources said, when all MLAs endorsed the candidature of Kumaraswamy for DyCM’s post at the JD(S)LP, an upset Revanna abruptly walked out of the meeting. Basavaraj Horatti tried to pacify him, but in vain, sources added.

Sensing trouble, Kumaraswamy announced the final decision will be taken by senior leaders later in the day, sources said.

Kumaraswamy, who was also upset with his brother’s behaviour, later took a dig at the media for creating unnecessary controversy. “Revanna never wanted to be the DyCM. He has never spoken to Gowda on this. In fact, he has been asking me to become,” he stated.

Besides sibling rivalry, party State President Merajuddin Patel, who represents minority’s face of the party, is one of the aspirants.

Gowda is shrewd enough not to antagonise Patel at this juncture. So, Kumaraswamy said the party is contemplating on making a person from either minority community or a dalit as the DyCM.

Who is the candidate? Party sources confirmed Kumaraswamy will finally be chosen as DyCM candidate. “Every one in the party, including Gowda, knows Kumaraswamy is the right candidate if the party has to keep the BJP under check,” sources said.