BENGALURU : With polls to five states including Uttar Pradesh over, lobbying has resumed to secure a berth in chief minister Basavaraj Bommai’s cabinet. Pressure is mounting on the CM to expand or rejig the cabinet.
While the buzz suggests Bommai is likely to visit Delhi next week to discuss a list of probable candidates with the central leadership, BJP sources say an expansion or reshuffle is unlikely till the budget session ends on March 31. Nalin Kumar Kateel, president of the state unit, said expansion will happen “soon”, while CT Ravi, national general secretary, said the party is ready to inject a “tonic” to overcome drawbacks ahead of the 2023 assembly polls. Still others suggest an expansion is likely only after the Ugadi festival in the first week of April.
Last month, Bommai had met Union home minister Amit Shah, who is learnt to have told the CM to postpone the exercise until after the polls in five states, since they were all busy with election campaigns. Shah had also reportedly suggested that cabinet expansion and appointments to board and corporations should take place simultaneously.
Currently, there are four vacancies against a full strength of 34. There is a strong push from leaders from Belagavi, especially former minister Ramesh Jarkiholi, to fill berths. Ramesh wants a cabinet berth for one of his brothers or their associates. Several legislators, including Basanagouda Patil Yatnal, MP Renukacharya and Aravind Bellad have said that if the cabinet expansion exercise is delayed, it will be too late for new ministers to make a mark, even in their own constituencies.
Sources say Bommai may find the exercise difficult unless he balances recommendations of former chief minister BS Yediyurappa and the BJP leadership in Delhi. Yediyurappa wants a ministerial post for his son and party state vice-president BY Vijayendra, but sources say the party is reluctant to acquiesce as it will invite criticism of ‘dynasty politics’. Hopefuls favour an overhaul as it will enhance their chances of landing a berth. The BJP leadership is also concerned that if it fills all the vacant posts, it could trigger resentment as there are several claimants. This also could be the last reshuffle before assembly polls. Poornima Srinivas, an aspirant, said she is ready to shoulder the responsibility if chosen.
