New Delhi: After six months of his swearing-in ceremony, Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa is gearing to expand his cabinet as he reached New Delhi on Thursday, to get the nod from his party high-command to implement the state's ministry expansion.
The Karnataka BJP leader who landed the capital told reporters that the cabinet expansion will get finalised during his meeting with BJP National President JP Nadda and veteran BJP leader and Home Minister Amit Shah.
"I am here to discuss expanding Karnataka cabinet. It will be done after the meeting with my party leaders. There are 99% chance to do the cabinet expansion," the Karnataka chief minister told reporters.
He further said that there is no idea to induct more Deputy Chief Ministers (DCMs) into his cabinet as already three DCMs are there in Karnataka.
“No idea to make new DCM for Karnataka,” he stated.
When asked why there was a delay in the cabinet expansion, Yediyurappa mentioned that it was due to the Delhi elections where his party leadership is focusing under a busy schedule.
“We are a national party. We need to get the concerns of our party leadership. BJP leaders are busy in Delhi election works. Also, I had some work in Karnataka and was unable to visit Delhi. Anyway, I have visited the capital now to discuss the cabinet expansion it will happen soon,” the saffron party leader maintained.
Responding to questions about the possibilities for the cabinet reshuffle, the CM did not give any concrete answers. “All will be announced within a day or two,” Yediyurappa answered.
BJP sources are claiming that the cabinet expansion will be done before the state budget session starts in Karnataka on February 5. When asked how long it would take for the cabinet expansion, “All will be finalized during my meeting with the BJP leadership,” the CM stated.
“Karnataka state budget will focus on agriculture and infrastructure as well,” the BJP leader added.
It is noted Yediyurappa back to the office for the fourth time as the Congress - Janata Dal (Secular) coalition government collapsed in the southern state as 17 Congress and JD(S) MLAs withdrew their support for the coalition government in July 2018.
The coalition government’s speaker disqualified all the 17 MLAs from Congress and JD(S). Therefore, 16 out of 17 MLAs had joined the BJP later.
Though 17 seats were vacant, Elections were announced only for 15 seats as there were petitions pending before the Karnataka High Court regarding Maski and Rajarajeshwari assembly constituencies.
Even though it was said that the disqualified MLAs could not contest in the elections. They approached the Supreme Court to scrap the speaker’s order. The SC which upholds the disqualification had allowed them to contest in elections.
In the December by-polls, the BJP gave the ticket to 13 out of 16 disqualified MLAs as they helped to dethrone the Congress-JD(S) government. While BJP managed to get the simple majority by winning 13 seats, Congress got 2 and JD(S) drew blank.
Yediyurappa assured that at least 11 out of the 13 MLAs who helped the BJP to form the government will be rewarded for sure. At this juncture, the Karnataka CM had arrived in New Delhi for having discussions with his party chief.
The 224-member-Karnataka assembly can have a maximum of 34 ministers. Currently, the southern state has only 18 ministers including the CM and DCMs and 16 berths are vacant now.
Before meeting Nadda and Shah, the Karnataka CM had meetings with Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Union Steel and Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Dharmendra Pradhan to revitalize the Visvesvaraya Iron and Steel Plant in Karnataka.
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