According to AICC sources, the present incumbent Dharam Singh is likely to be replaced by a ``more prominent leader'' from any of the two major communities -- Vokkaliga or Lingayat. It is likely that the coveted post would go to a Vokkaliga even though there are strong contenders from other communities like Lingayat, minority and backward classes.

The process for choosing the new party chief has already begun, with Sonia and party general secretary Tariq Anwar meeting Congressmen, including leaders from Karnataka and State MPs to elicit their views on the need for the change and also the choice of the new leader.

Many Congressmen from Karnataka are now busy seeking appointments with Sonia, Anwar and other leaders at New Delhi to give their ``frank opinions'' on the affairs of theparty under the presidentship of Dharam Singh.

While some Congressmen feel that Dharam Singh should be continued as ``he is a non-controversial person'', many others are openly opting for a change, saying that Dharam Singh has not been able to deliver goods as ``he lacks initiative''. ``After taking over as the president, he has done very little to interact with partymen at the grassroot level. We will not be able to prepare for the coming elections under his leadership'', they say.

The change is likely to be made in the first week of July, probably after Sonia returns from her trip to Andhra and Karnataka on June 29. Party sources at Delhi reveal that the front runners for the post are former Deputy Chief Minister S M Krishna, former speaker D B Chandre Gowda (both Vokkaligas), Rajya Sabha member Rajasekher Murthy and MP Shyamnur Shivashankarappa (both Lingayats) and C K Jaffer Sharief (minority community).

The high command, it is learnt, is looking for a person who is ``comparatively young, dynamic''and who is acceptable to all sections of society. The chances of Jaffer Sharief heading the party seem slim as he is currently facing charges in the High Court, of amassing wealth disproportionate to his known sources of income. Though Sharief has done commendable work for the State and has the potential of carrying all the partymen with him, his poor health and the court case are likely to come in his way.

In the cases of Shyamanur Shivashankarappa and Rajasekharan Murthy, who are otherwise powerful leaders in the Lingayat Community, advanced age could weigh as a negative point. Moreover, it is felt that present Chief Minister J H Patel and the BJP president belong to the Lingayat community and it may not be advantageous for the Congress to chose its leader from the same community.

As of today, the choice seems to have zeroed in either on Krishna or Chandre Gowda. While many feel that Krishna is more a white-collared politician and may not mix with the partymen -- especially at a time when the party ispreparing to stage a come back in the next assembly elections -- Krishna himself has claimed that he had never been given an opportunity to head the party. ``I was denied an opportunity to either head the party or become the Chief Minister by the former Congress president P V Narasimha Rao,'' Krishna has said.

Chandre Gowda, a vociferous orator from Shimoga seems to be enjoying good support from a sizeable section of partymen. A committed Congressman, he resigned his MP seat to pave way for Indira Gandhi to contest from Chickmagalur in 1977. Chandre Gowda returned to the Congress after a brief stint in the Janata Dal. As of today, he does not face stiff opposition from Congressmen. The only thing that may work against him is that he was out of the party for some time.