Bangalore: The Cabinet of Karnataka get its first expansion with 10 MLAs by CM Yediyurappa led BJP in state that include all defectors from COngress and JDS on Thursday. BS Yediyurappa expend its cabinet for the first time this tenure to fulfill his promise of ministerial berths to all the rebel members.
The swearing-in ceremony took place at 10.30 am at the Raj Bhavan when 10 of the 11 rebel MLAs Ramesh Jarkhiholi, Anand Singh, BC Patil, K Sudhakar, Narayana Gowda, ST Somasekhar, Bhairati Basavaraj, Gopalaiah, Shivaram Hebbar and Sreemanth Patil accommodated in cabinet grade posts.
Notable that the revolt by the rebels led to collapse of the Congress-JDS coalition in July last year and had paved the way for the formation of the BJP government. At present, there are 18 ministers, including the Chief Minister, in the cabinet that has a sanctioned strength of 34. Sixteen berths are vacant.
The Chief Minister had announced on Sunday that 13 BJP leaders, including the 10 MLAs who had defected from the Congress and the JD(S), would take oath on Thursday.
On Mr Kumathalli, Mr Yediyurappa on Wednesday said, “It is difficult to make him minister now. I will call him and discuss with him. We will try to give him some other responsibility.”
The Chief Minister had earlier promised ministerial positions to all of them. Another leader who he was keen on making minister was Hukkeri MLA Umesh Katti, news agency Press Trust of India reported. However, Mr Katti will also not make it to Mr Yediyurappa’s cabinet this time, PTI reported.
Bureau Report
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