BJP has decided to replace Sadananda Gowda with Jagdish Shettar as Chief Minister of Karnataka. PTI quoting sources in the party says, the decision was taken at its core committee meeting in New Delhi today.This marks the third change if leadership in the state in 11 months. Sadananda Gowda said he is prepared to accept whatever decision is taken by BJP central leadership.

Jagdish Shettar, a Lingayat leader is the Rural Development Minister. He is the choice of Yeddyurappa, who is calling the shots in Karnataka BJP even after his exit as Chief Minister last year.

After the core group meeting, BJP spokesperson Ravishankar Prasad said that Gowda will come to Delhi this evening and will be meeting party chief Nitin Gadkari, L K Advani and other leaders. He said a decision will be announced after that.

Yeddyurappa, who was removed as Chief Minister last year in wake of corruption allegations against him, has been insisting for some time now that Gowda should be replaced with his close associate Shettar.

However, Gowda, who fell out with the Yeddyurappa camp had pleaded with the party that it should not take any decision in “haste”.