Shankaramurthy likely to be Guv of Tamil Nadu

BENGALURU: Chairman of Karnataka Legislative Council and senior BJP leader D H Shankaramurthy (76) is likely to be appointed the next Governor of Tamil Nadu. K Rosaiah’s term is set to end on August 31.

BJP national president Amit Shah is said to have asked Shankaramurthy to be ready for a new assignment, hinting at a governor’s post. The issue had come up for discussion during Murthy’s recent meeting with Shah in New Delhi.

According to sources, the BJP-led Union government is set to take a decision within the next few days on the new Governor for Tamil Nadu and also keen to appoint a full-time Governor for the newly carved Telangana State.

E S L Narasimhan, the present Governor of residual Andhra Pradesh, is holding additional charge of Telangana.

Shankaramurthy told Express, “Just a few days ago our party national leadership spoke to me. I have been asked to be ready for a new responsibility. The hint was about Governor’s post. However, the  name of the state was not specified. I am waiting for the formal announcement.”

Shankaramurthy is said to be eager for “an appropriate political rehabilitation” in the light of the ruling Congress’ efforts in the state to unseat him from the post of Council Chairman by joining hands with the JD(S).

Basavaraj Horatti of JD(S) is being projected as the man who could replace Shankaramurthy if Congress and JD(S) seal a pact in this regard.