Sulking K’taka minister shuts down his office

Bengaluru, Aug. 11: With sulking Tourism Minister Anand Singh shutting down his MLA office in Hospet in Vijayanagar district allegedly to show his displeasure over the portfolio allocation, Chief Minister Basavaraj S. Bommai on Wednesday said he would speak to him.

“Me and Anand Singh are friends for three decades. We are continuously in touch. on Tuesday I spoke to him. On Wednesday also I will speak to him. I am aware of his views and I too have conveyed my views. Everything will be set right after he comes and speaks to me,” Bommai told reporters here. Sources close to the Minister said he is keen on getting the forest department which he held in the previous B.S. Yediyurappa government, along with energy portfolio. “Against his wish, he was given tourism, ecology and environment portfolio”, they added.

When asked whether Singh has tendered his resignation when he met him recently, Bommai said, “... we only had a conversation. He has not done so (resigning).”

He exuded confidence that everything will be fine “towards the end”.

Bommai acknowledged that Singh has explained to him all the issues involved and would discuss with him again. “Again I have to speak to him. I am calling him for discussion. Everything will be fine,”

About the possibility of changing his portfolio, Bommai wondered how can he tell media what he would be going to do.

When he was told about Singh’s purported statement that he will not “bow down”, Bommai said Singh may say anything but he will have to speak to him to take a decision accordingly.