BENGALURU: Karnataka chief minister BS Yediyurappa had a tough task of satisfying both the turncoats, whose ‘sacrifice’ brought his government into existence, and the BJP old guard as he set out to expand his cabinet, which will be done on Thursday.
However, having failed to strike a fine balance, he preferred to repay those who made him CM and keep the BJP loyalist waiting. At least, for now.
Thus, the formula '10+0' arrived at with 10 out of 11 disqualified legislators who won the by-polls on BJP ticket would be sworn-in on Thursday. On the other end, unlike what was previously speculated, none of the three BJP candidates were considered for induction.
With the manoeuvring space narrow, with only six slots available— after accommodating all eleven new MLAs— Yediyurappa had floated a formula of ‘10+3’.
Later, speculations were rife that the CM would enhance it to ‘10+5’.
As was speculated, Mahesh Kumatahalli was not to be inducted and CP Yogeswar would among the three old guard to be made ministers.
This brought dissidence to the fore from within the BJP ranks, given Kumatahalli —representing the politically dominant Panchamasali sect of Linagayat community— and Yogeeshwar— a Vokkaliga and defeated in the 2018 assembly polls— with several camps revolting on the issue.
Shorpur MLA Narasimhanayak (Raju Gowda) was opposed to the inclusion of Yogeswar, even as several Lingayat leaders expressed displeasure over snubbing Kumatahalli while lobbying for themselves.
“Isolating Kumathalli alone would definitely send a wrong signal. But, the inclusion only a few selected old guard would have created greater trouble. So, the chief minister’s decision to go with the migrants alone, for now seems to be pragmatic. It serves the interest of the party,” said former minister Murugesh Nirani, who himself is a Panchamasali Lingayat.
Another factor that dogged the CM’s expansion plans was the lack of representation from the coastal area. Although the names of Angara S (Sullia) and Halady Srinivasa Shetty (Kundapur) cropped up, their inclusion was not practical at the given juncture.
"Striking a fine balance between regions and giving equitable representation to communities was a concern. The decision to postpone the induction of the original BJP members was good in this sense," said Lahar Singh Siroya, senior BJP MLC.
Now, with six vacancies on hand, Yediyurappa would have wider space for manoeuvring and he will push the exercise of cabinet expansion till June when the MLC polls are due.
By that time, he can drop a handful of ministers from his cabinet and make further room for new comers and the existing six vacancies would serve as a carrot to dangle before the aspirants and keep them calm till then.
However, having failed to strike a fine balance, he preferred to repay those who made him CM and keep the BJP loyalist waiting. At least, for now.
Thus, the formula '10+0' arrived at with 10 out of 11 disqualified legislators who won the by-polls on BJP ticket would be sworn-in on Thursday. On the other end, unlike what was previously speculated, none of the three BJP candidates were considered for induction.
With the manoeuvring space narrow, with only six slots available— after accommodating all eleven new MLAs— Yediyurappa had floated a formula of ‘10+3’.
Later, speculations were rife that the CM would enhance it to ‘10+5’.
As was speculated, Mahesh Kumatahalli was not to be inducted and CP Yogeswar would among the three old guard to be made ministers.
This brought dissidence to the fore from within the BJP ranks, given Kumatahalli —representing the politically dominant Panchamasali sect of Linagayat community— and Yogeeshwar— a Vokkaliga and defeated in the 2018 assembly polls— with several camps revolting on the issue.
Shorpur MLA Narasimhanayak (Raju Gowda) was opposed to the inclusion of Yogeswar, even as several Lingayat leaders expressed displeasure over snubbing Kumatahalli while lobbying for themselves.
“Isolating Kumathalli alone would definitely send a wrong signal. But, the inclusion only a few selected old guard would have created greater trouble. So, the chief minister’s decision to go with the migrants alone, for now seems to be pragmatic. It serves the interest of the party,” said former minister Murugesh Nirani, who himself is a Panchamasali Lingayat.
Another factor that dogged the CM’s expansion plans was the lack of representation from the coastal area. Although the names of Angara S (Sullia) and Halady Srinivasa Shetty (Kundapur) cropped up, their inclusion was not practical at the given juncture.
"Striking a fine balance between regions and giving equitable representation to communities was a concern. The decision to postpone the induction of the original BJP members was good in this sense," said Lahar Singh Siroya, senior BJP MLC.
Now, with six vacancies on hand, Yediyurappa would have wider space for manoeuvring and he will push the exercise of cabinet expansion till June when the MLC polls are due.
By that time, he can drop a handful of ministers from his cabinet and make further room for new comers and the existing six vacancies would serve as a carrot to dangle before the aspirants and keep them calm till then.
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