Governor H.R. Bhardwaj is learnt to have accepted the recommendation by the Bharatiya Janata Party government to nominate its veteran leader B.B. Shivappa to the Legislative Council.
Confirming this to The Hindu, Mr. Shivappa said State government officials had informed him about it. A formal communication was expected by Tuesday, he said.
The 83-year-old Mr. Shivappa, who played a crucial role in building the party organisation as its State president in its initial years, was elected MLA twice for Sakleshpur; he also served as MLC for a term.
Political circles are viewing the BJP’s choice of Mr. Shivappa — a veteran leader hailing from Lingayat community and who has endeared himself to party workers — as an effort to retain the Lingayat vote base by countering the influence of Karnataka Janata Paksha leader and former Chief Minister B. S. Yeddyurappa ahead of the Assembly polls.
Seat vacant
A nominated member’s seat is vacant in the Upper House following the resignation by Vijay Sankeshwar.
