BENGALURU: Competition is hotting up for the post of Leader of Opposition (LoP) in Legislative Council which has fallen vacant after K S Eshwarappa was elected to the Assembly from Shivamogga in the recent Assembly election.
Former minister Kota Srinivasa Pujari and senior members of the Council Raghunath Malkapure and Arun Shahapur are being seen as the top contenders for the post. Though the name of former Rajya Sabha member and senior MLC Ayanur Manjunath, a confidant of BJP state chief B S Yeddyurappa, is also being touted for the post, his chances are slim as both he and LoP in Assembly Yeddyurappa are from Shivamogga district. Name of another BJP leader K B Shanappa is being ruled out as his term is set to end in August. Pujari is being seen as the likely choice as, apart from his seniority, his deep understanding of issues related to rural development, agriculture, revenue and law and ability to put the government on the defensive with his articulation are being cited as advantages that could help this leader from the coastal region to clinch the LoP post.
Malkapure too is among the front runners and the fact that the party is contemplating to give the post to a leader from north Karnataka has boosted his chances. Shahapur too is in the same league.A clear picture is expected to emerge in a week, a BJP functionary told TNIE.