Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Tuesday said the BJP’s central leadership will send the final list of new ministers to be inducted into its cabinet on Wednesday morning as some issues are yet to be resolved. Bommai also said that if he gets the list in the morning, the swearing-in ceremony may take place on Wednesday or any other auspicious day.
He further said that the cabinet expansion will be done in phases. The chief minister, however, did not disclose the number of new ministers to be inducted in the first phase. Bommai met Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president JP Nadda in Parliament earlier in the day and the two leaders finalized the much-awaited expansion of the state cabinet.
He also met Union Home Minister Amit Shah to discuss the issue. Briefing the media about the meetings, Bommai said, “There will be no further meetings on this issue. I am returning to Bangalore in the morning. I will get the final list over phone.” He said there was a detailed discussion with Nadda and regional and social aspects were discussed on the draft list.
“Naddaji has sought several clarifications on the information he has collected. I clarified them all. He said he will give the final verdict tomorrow morning. He said that after getting the green signal from the BJP President, the list would be sent to the Raj Bhavan on Wednesday.
Asked about the delay in finalizing the list, Bommai said, “Three-four issues have to be decided. For example, whether to include some more people in the final list and whether to have a Deputy Chief Minister.” He said that the final list would be prepared after these issues are resolved. Bommai said there are two views on being the deputy chief minister. However, the decision on this will be taken by the central leaders of BJP.
“The central leadership will hold discussions with (former Karnataka chief minister and senior party leader) BS Yediyurappa,” he said. When asked whether senior leaders and those joining the BJP from other political parties would be kept out of the cabinet, the Chief Minister said, “There is nothing like that. Experience and youthful spirit will be considered. Overall, it will be a people-friendly government.” He said that the cabinet will be expanded with priority to give good governance keeping in view the 2023 Karnataka assembly elections.
Bommai said he expected the expansion of the cabinet in two phases. He said there was no delay in finalizing the list as the central leaders were freed only in the evening due to the ongoing session of Parliament.
Asked if he was tired of this cabinet expansion exercise, Bommai said, “I am not tired. I am very cool This is not the first cabinet. I have worked with four-five chief ministers. Earlier in the day, Bommai made a courtesy call on Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu. He also met BJP in-charge for Karnataka affairs Arun Singh. The Chief Minister met Parliamentary Affairs Minister Prahlad Joshi in the presence of Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav here. Railway projects in the state were discussed at the residence of Mr. MPs from the southern state were also present in the meeting.
Bommai took oath as the chief minister on July 28 after his predecessor Yeddyurappa resigned on July 26.
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