Basavaraj Bommai, who took over as the Chief Minister of Karnataka a week ago, on Wednesday expanded his cabinet by inducting 29 ministers. It seems that he is trying to strike a fine balance by creating an equal distance between both the pro and the opposing factions of BS Yediyurappa.
There are about 6-8 new faces in the new cabinet, who are loyal to the party and do not belong to any faction.
However, the most important feature in the expansion is the exclusion of Yeddyurappa’s son BY Vijayendra from the cabinet. It was widely rumored that he would join the cabinet with a stellar portfolio. But the high command seems to have vetoed Bommai, who was keen to give a berth to his guru Yediyurappa’s son for the smooth running of the government.
According to insiders, Yediyurappa was firm that his son would join the cabinet. But, it seems he lost his clout in the party when he was forced to step down a week later.
Many of his loyalists including MP Renukacharya, SR Vishwanath, H Halappa have also not been made ministers.
The only consolation for the strong Lingayat leader is the deprivation of cabinet berths in the BJP to three of his enemies Arvind Bellad, CP Yogeshwar and BR Patil Yatnal, who openly revolted against him recently. Belad was also in the race for the chief minister’s post a week ago.
Those who missed the berths include former CM Jagadish Shettar, senior MLAs S Suresh Kumar and Arvind Limbavali.
While Shettar chose citing his seniority, Suresh Kumar and Limbavali are reportedly upset over not being made ministers again.
Most of the Congress and JDS parties, which made Yeddyurappa chief minister two years ago, have managed to retain their posts. Since Bommai has a low majority in the assembly and these defectors form a powerful group within the government, the new CM had to include him keeping in mind the political realities.
The BJP high command has also taken a decision against the appointment of Deputy Chief Ministers in the current government. There were three deputy chief ministers in the Yeddyurappa government.
Political analysts are of the view that BSY seems to have lost the advantage and the party high command is ready to give a chance to Bommai, who is seen as the appointee in BSY. Will the BSY accept the party’s decision and fade away or will it try to assert itself again? nobody knows.
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