Will abide by party decision, says Gowda

Reconciled to a change of guard in the state, Karnataka Chief Minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda Saturday said that he would abide by the decision of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) high command on the leadership issue.

"As I have said earlier, I would abide by whatever decision the party high command would take on the leadership issue. If I am asked to quit, I will resign and if I am asked to continue, I will stay," Gowda told reporters soon after arriving in Delhi.

Bowing to pressure from former chief minister B.S. Yeddyurappa, the BJP Saturday chose Karnataka's Rural Development Minister Jagadish Shettar to replace Gowda.

Gowda reiterated that the party high command should not further delay the decision on the leadership issue as the uncertainty was affecting the state administration at a time when many districts across the state were reeling under drought.

"I have requested the party high command to decide on the leadership issue at the earliest as anymore delay would affect the smooth functioning of the government. As a disciplined member of the party, I will act on the advice of our leaders, whatever it may be," he said.
Gowda is scheduled to meet party president Nitin Gadkari and senior party leader L.K. Advani here.