Lobbying picks up for berth in BSY cabinet

BENGALURU: With Karnataka chief minister B S Yediyurappa indicating that cabinet expansion would take place after the ruling BJP swept the December 5 bypolls that has given stability to his government, lobbying has intensified for ministerial berths, by both old guard and new entrants.

A day after the BJP won 12 of the total of 15 seats in the by-elections, he said on Tuesday that he would hold discussions with the party leadership on cabinet expansion, and made it clear that 11 disqualified MLAS (of the total 13 fielded by BJP) who successfully contested the bypolls on party tickets, will be made ministers. In an apparent show of strength and unity, the disqualified legislators -- both who have won and lost on BJP ticket during the bypolls -- on Wednesday met the chief minister.

Party sources said, during the meeting they thanked Yediyurappa for the support during the bypolls and sought his cooperation. Later, newly elected BJP MLA from Yeshwanthpura S T Somashekar said, “We had come together to thank him, as he had campaigned in each of our constituencies at least twice”.

“We also expressed intention to meet home minister Amit Shah, but he (CM) has asked to wait for a few days as Parliament session is on,” he added.

However, clarifying that no discussions have taken place regarding cabinet expansion and portfolio allocation, Somashekar said, “... no demand, no one has asked for any portfolio, we only thanked him (CM) and told him that we were together to cooperate with him and sought his cooperation.”

Also, maintaining that all disqualified legislators, whether they won or lost, were united and there is no question of leaving anyone alone, Somashekar in response to a query about some amount of displeasure among some BJP members against their induction into the Ministry, said, “We are not here to compete with anyone...”

Cabinet expansion will not be an easy task as Yediyurappa will have to strike a balance by accommodating the victorious disqualified legislators as he had promised and also make place for old guards, upset at being “neglected” in the first round of induction. He also has to give adequate representation to various castes and regions in his cabinet, that has 18 ministers and the sanctioned strength is 34.