Prime Minister Yediyurappa is expected to discuss the issue with national leaders later in the week, before a decision is made.
Karnataka’s chief minister, BS Yediyurappa, had said last week that a cabinet expansion would take place after the results of the RR Nagar and Sira bye elections were announced. As the BJP won in both constituencies, various BJP leaders, formerly with Congress and JD (S), have begun lobbying for ministerial posts. BJP sources said that national leaders are also considering cabinet shaking.
Prime Minister Yediyurappa, during RR Nagar’s election campaign, had said that if the party’s candidate, Munirathna Naidu, won the elections, he would be appointed minister. Yediyurappa had said that he would go to New Delhi after the results were announced and speak with the high command.
However, since August, Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa has been reluctant to accept the shakeup, fearing a backlash and increased internal disputes. BJP sources in New Delhi said that as a negotiation for the recent resignation of Minister CT Ravi, the posts given to the top three deputy ministers should also be reorganized.
“Yediyurappa does not agree to a reorganization. Many leaders will rebel against the government. Especially when it is speculated that the CM will change next year, ”said a senior leader of the BJP, while adding that the expansion is likely to occur on November 15.
Karnataka’s cabinet has 33 seats with six vacant seats. Furthermore, after Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa accepts CT Ravi’s resignation, one more post will become vacant. CT Ravi received the portfolio of Tourism and Kannada and Culture.
BJP sources said Yediyurappa was waiting for the by-elections to conclude, to address the issue of cabinet expansion, as the fate of one of the 14 traitors in Congress, Munirathna, was yet to be decided. Yediyurappa had promised ministerial posts to Congress and JD (S) lawmakers who resigned and helped topple the coalition government in 2019.
On Sunday, Legislative Council members AH Vishwanath and R Shankar aka Pendulum Shankar, went to New Delhi to lobby for a ministerial post. MLC MTB Nagaraj and CP Yogeeshwar also await a ministerial position. If Munirathna Naidu wins RR Nagar’s election, he too expects a ministerial post.
BJP sources said national leaders have offered Yediyurappa two options: reorganize the cabinet, including deputy CMs, or reassign portfolios to existing ministers and also include new ministers. Party sources said that Bijapur City MLA Basangouda Patil Yatnal is also a top contender for a ministerial portfolio and is also vying for the post of executive vice president. Longtime BS Yediyurappa and Hukkeri MLA friend Umesh Katti also hopes to be accommodated as promised by the CM in February this year.
Sources said that Social Welfare Minister B. Sriramulu also expects to be appointed deputy CM if the high command decides to remove existing people and offer the position to other applicants.
By-elections in Maski and Basavakalyan have yet to take place and the dates are expected to be announced soon. Pratapgouda Patil, the likely BJP candidate for the by-elections, also hopes to be accommodated if he wins the election, as he too had defected from Congress to the BJP when the coalition government fell in 2019.
