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Karnataka: Legislators push for cabinet expansion ahead of elections
There are four vacant positions within the 34-member cabinet, which has not been filled since Basavaraj Boomai took over as the chief minister in July 2021, with at least 10 ministers holding more than one portfolio, according to government data.
The clamour for cabinet expansion of the Karnataka government appears to be back as legislators have now demanded that the much-delayed exercise be finally completed to give enough time for the new inductees to prove themselves as ministers.
There are four vacant positions within the 34-member cabinet, which has not been filled since Basavaraj Boomai took over as the chief minister in July 2021, with at least 10 ministers holding more than one portfolio, according to government data.
Bommai holds DPAR, finance department, intelligence from home department, cabinet affairs, Bengaluru development, and all unallocated portfolios.
On Sunday, Bommai tried to diffuse the situation, saying that the decision is in the hands of the party’s central leadership, which was busy with campaigning for the recently-concluded elections to Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Goa, Manipur and Uttarakhand.
“There are no instructions from the party seniors. As soon as they give it, I will go (to Delhi),” Bommai said in Bengaluru.
Several legislators have demanded that the vacant berths be fulfilled at the earliest to allow the leaders to prove themselves.
After the results to the five poll-bound states were announced on Thursday, the focus has been back on Bommai-led Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government and the state, which is scheduled to go to the assembly elections next year.
Basanagouda Patil (Yatnal), the firebrand legislator from Vijayapura, said it was important to conclude this exercise, with less than a year to go for the polls.
“The cabinet expansion happening is guaranteed,” he said on Sunday.
The legislator also said that there is thinking that some senior ministers would be given the responsibility of the party ahead of elections, indicating a likely drop of some names from the cabinet.
“Since there is just one year left for elections, chances are that some senior ministers will be given more responsibility by the party. Some may be for youngsters to do good work and bring some good change,” he added.
The cabinet expansion has been one of the biggest challenges for Bommai, who continues to work under the shadow of predecessor BS Yediyurappa and the party high command.
Yatnal also fired a salvo at Yediyurappa, who he had targeted from the very beginning. The BJP legislator said that he will argue against more than one ticket given to any household, taking a veiled dig at the 79-year-old and his family.
Yediyurappa is a legislator from Shikariupura in Shivamogga and elder son (BY Raghavendra) is a Lok Sabha MP from the same district. His other son, BY Vijayendra, is the BJP state vice president and is an aspirant for a ticket in the 2023 assembly polls.
“We are going to argue that for one household, only one ticket should be given.
If there are 3-4 tickets given to one house, MP, MLA and ZP, then what will workers do,” Yatnal said.
Before the assembly polls, at least two other crucial polls – Bengaluru civic body (BBMP), zilla and taluka panchayat – are expected to come up later this year.
Speaking about the elections, Bommai denied rumours of defections from the party and also ruled out possibilities of early polls.
“I can tell you categorically that no one from our party will defect to other parties. As for anyone from other parties hopping into BJP, just wait and see,” Bommai said.
“You (media) have put this (early elections) out for discussion. In our party at no stage has such discussions been held,” the chief minister added.
The BJP is expected to take out a statewide tour after the ongoing Budget session of the state legislature.
“The BJP state executive meeting would be held on March 30 and 31. The meeting will deliberate and decide on the proposed State tour of the leaders and all other issues,” Bommai said.
