MYSURU / BENGALURU: Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa set another deadline for cabinet expansion, saying the delayed process will be completed in two to three days.
Yediyurappa, who was in Mysuru on Wednesday, did not offer further details, prompting political circles and many in the BJP to wonder if the party’s high command had finally clarified his cabinet’s plans or if he was just trying to alleviate the speculation. He declined to comment on the matter on Tuesday.
This is the fourth time in the past three months that Yediyurappa has set a deadline to extend its council of ministers. Several BJP lawmakers are pushing to become ministers, but it is unclear whether the party’s leadership will pass a larger reform so they can be accommodated or only allow seven vacancies to be filled. Yediyurappa is reportedly planning to leave some ministers and introduce new blood into the cabinet to polish the government’s image and improve performance.
A day after he appointed presidents of some 20 boards and corporations, Yediyurappa said he would select more officials in the next two days. “I will clear a list of 25 to 30 officials,” he said. Among those who have already been named are members of the justice council, former legislators, BJP workers and supporters. Decisions have not gone well with an MLA section of BJP, especially those in North Karnataka. These MLAs, who had been observing some of the positions, claimed that Yediyurappa did not consult the party’s central committee before short-listing officials. “Most of the people who have been selected are loyal to Yediyurappa or his son, BY Vijayendra,” said a senior lawmaker.
Opposition leader Siddaramaiah questioned the reported rush with which appointments have been made at a time when the government faces financial problems. He wonders if Yediyurappa is dating and making abrupt political appointments. Siddaramaiah has repeatedly claimed that the BJP high command wants to replace Yediyurappa. BJP has rejected the claim.
Chamarajanagar BJP MP V Srinivas Prasad claimed that Yediyurappa had stopped consulting others after becoming CM.
Meanwhile, Yediyurappa visited the Chamarajanagar district on Wednesday for the first time in his current term. Some people believe that a spell is associated with the district – the visiting prime minister will not complete the entire period. But Siddaramaiah proved it was just a myth by visiting the region nine times.
.
