On eve of enlargement, Karnataka ministers lobby for change in portfolios

Several senior Ministers in the Cabinet, sad with the portfolios allotted to them, have reportedly pushed for a reshuffle of portfolios even because the Cabinet is ready to be expanded on Wednesday, sources in the BJP mentioned.

With all vacancies in the Cabinet being stuffed on Wednesday, Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa is anticipated to allocate most of the ministries that he presently holds and reallocate portfolios that a couple of Ministers maintain as extra cost.

Party sources mentioned that a minimum of 4 senior Ministers, in the meantime, have requested for a change in their portfolios too. Revenue Minister R. Ashok, Home Minister Basavaraj Bommai, Industries Minister Jagadish Shettar, and Agriculture Minister B.C. Patil are eager on a change in their portfolios, the sources mentioned. While these Ministers have additionally indicated their choice, the Chief Minister is but to take a name, his shut aides mentioned.

‘Impossible to allot’

“Any change in their portfolios will lead to change in others too, which needs to be carefully considered so as to not create discontent in the Cabinet. Some of the portfolios some Ministers have sought are almost impossible to be allotted to them without causing heartburn to others,” a strategist near the Chief Minister mentioned. However, he additionally added that the Chief Minister was sad with the efficiency of a couple of Ministers in the Cabinet and was considering of a reshuffle, however whether or not it might contain senior Ministers is the moot query.

Mr. Yediyurappa is prone to allocate Energy, Small Scale Industries, Kannada and Culture, Youth Empowerment and Sports, and Backward Classes Welfare portfolios.

He is anticipated to retain Finance, Planning, Information and Public Relations, and Bengaluru Development portfolios, sources mentioned. Minor Irrigation, Medical Education, Sugar and Sericulture departments, presently held as extra cost by Ministers will possible be redistributed. With H. Nagesh almost certainly to be dropped, Excise Department may also possible be allotted to 1 of the brand new inductees.

Case of Jolle

Women and Child Welfare Minister Shashikala Jolle, who was reportedly initially on the record of Ministers to be dropped from the Cabinet, lobbied exhausting with the occasion excessive command and is prone to escape the axe, sources in the occasion mentioned.

Ms. Jolle, chatting with media individuals in Raichur, mentioned this was not the primary time rumours had unfold that she can be dropped. “I will abide by the party’s decision,” she mentioned.