Bengaluru: With the BJP all set to appoint its President for Karnataka in February, a neck to neck fight has emerged between BJP senior leader B S Yeddyurappa and R Ashok. However, as per party sources, chances of BSY becoming the BJP State Chief is brighter.

After once becoming a ‘pariah’ of the BJP with numerous charges of corruption slammed against him and subsequently being unceremonious made to step down from the post of Chief Minister, fortune seems to be once again smiling at the Lingayat strongman and architect of BJP’s maiden victory in the state in 2009.

With High Court squashing 15 FIRs against him and with the Apex Court refusing to intervene and lift the Karnataka HC stay on his prosecution in land de-notification row, BSY is believed to be the favourite within the BJP circle.

The BJP’s organisational elections in Karnataka were slated to take place in January but have been postponed for two months due to the zila panchayat and taluk panchayat elections in the state next month.

However, may feel that incumbent state BJP president Prahlad Joshi, a close confidante of Union Chemical and Fertiliser Minister Ananth Kumar, who is an “arch enemy” of Yeddyurappa may favour R Ashok.