Bangalore:
As Sadananda Gowda was sworn in as Chief Minister of Karnataka, the BJP witnessed what may well be its most embarrassing revolt yet in the state. As many as 45 MLAs skipped the ceremony, upset that their nominee Jagadish Shettar had been defeated. Mr Shettar, currently a minister, was AWOL. So were the powerful Reddy brothers, who are senior ministers and mining barons, known for their clout in the party.
Another point of discomfort for the BJP was also paraded - BS Yeddyurappa was very much a star at the ceremony, hugging Mr Gowda who he hand-picked as his successor. Several BJP members were seen touching Mr Yeddyurappa's feet. Turning to the cameras, Mr Yeddyurappa flashed the victory sign.
And indeed, while Mr Gowda may have the title, it's Mr Yeddyurappa who has won. When he was forced to resign over the weekend over charges of corruption, Mr Yeddyurappa made it clear to his party that his exit was contingent upon him selecting his replacement. The BJP didn't agree, so Mr Yeddyurappa whipped up a show of strength among his supporters - about 65 MLAs - who said they would back whoever Mr Yeddyurappa wanted as Chief Minister. That's how Mr Yeddyurappa walked Mr Gowda to the Chief Minister's office.
He won an election conducted by secret ballot yesterday by about 10 votes. Since then, the Shettar camp has been in a sulk. This morning, Mr Gowda dropped in to Mr Shettar's house, where a strategy session was being conducted over breakfast by the rebels. Emerging after a few minutes, Mr Gowda said he had convinced Mr Shettar and his cohorts to attend the swearing. But shortly after lunch, Mr Shettar's group indicated otherwise. They want key Cabinet posts like the Finance and Home portfolios to be assigned among their members; they also want Mr Shettar to be named Deputy Chief Minister.
Sources say that six Cabinet ministers were scheduled to be sworn-in today along with Mr Gowda. That this didn't happen is attributed to possible behind-the-scenes negotiations between the new Chief Minister and Mr Shettar's group.
"I will not be a puppet Chief Minister," vowed Mr Gowda today, stressing that he has "independent views." But there is little confusion in the BJP about who will call the party's shots. Mr Yeddyurappa told government officials just 48 hours ago that he would "be back within six months."
(Watch: I will not be a puppet Chief Minister, says Sadananda)Mr Gowda is the Lok Sabha MP from Udipi-Chikamagalur in coastal Karnataka. Because he has not served as a minister, his administrative skills have not been tested. He did serve as state president of the BJP a few years ago - today, he said the turbulence he handled within his party then was far more distressing than the Shettar revolt. Mr Gowda said his famous big smile will remain in place for 22 months. That's when Karnataka votes for its next government.
(Read: Who is Sadananda Gowda?)His optimism remains a sign of good faith rather than reason. Janardhana and Karunakara Reddy, currently senior ministers, have been indicted for corruption in the same report on illegal mining that ended Mr Yeddyurappa's reign as leader of the state. Their own continuance in office is iffy - party sources say that it's untenable for them to be a part of the new Cabinet. The Reddys have wielded their considerable wealth to get their way in the past; they have also established themselves as wily politicians capable of undermining leaders they are against. In 2009, they nearly forced the exit of Mr Yeddyurappa when he tried to introduce new rules that would have adversely affected their mining businesses. The Reddys stitched together a revolt, and landed in Delhi with a large group of MLAs, demanding that Mr Yeddyurappa be dismissed for his authoritarian style of functioning. However, Mr Yeddurappa's popularity among his community, the Lingayats, saved him.
The fact that Mr Gowda is not a Lingayat worked in his favour. Mr Yeddyurappa wants to ensure that he remains the tallest leader in his community - so allowing a Lingayat like Mr Shettar to emerge as Chief Minister was not suitable.