BENGALURU: Several BJP legislators, who didn’t get a cabinet look-in, are expected to discuss the issue with Union minister Amit Shah during his two-day visit to Karnataka. Shah is scheduled to arrive in Bengaluru on Saturday and will attend programmes in Shivamogga, Belagavi, Bagalkot and Vidhana Soudha.
The disgruntled BJP legislators plan to approach him in Belagavi. Apart from the cabinet snub, some plan to raise the issue of alleged interference by Yediyurappa’s younger son, BY Vijayendra, in the government and party affairs.
BJP MLC AH Vishwanath said that he had sought an appointment with Shah to update him about the political developments in the party and state. “I hope that I get his time and an opportunity to explain everything,” he said.
Earlier, about 10 MLAs including Abhay Patil, Arvind Bellad, Siddu Savadi and Basangouda Patil Yatnal, had planned to travel to Delhi to air their grievances before the BJP top brass. They changed their mind and decided to approach Shah during his state visit instead.
Wednesday’s cabinet expansion has led to resentment in sections of BJP, with several MLAs expressing reservations about MLCs being appointed as ministers, uneven representation of districts and sidelining of seniors. Legislators like Yatnal and Vishwanath have been openly criticising chief minister BS Yediyurappa, alleging that he inducted some ministers after blackmail.
Yediyurappa also postponed portfolio allocation among the seven new ministers, reportedly to prevent major squabbles during Shah’s visit. “We will announce the portfolios on Sunday or Monday after discussing it with Shah,” Yediyurappa said.
On Friday, Yediyurappa’s political secretary and loyalist, MP Renukacharya, met BJP national general secretary and Karnataka incharge Arun Singh in Delhi. Renukacharya, an MLA who had been hoping for a cabinet berth, reportedly complained about the induction of MLC CP Yogeshwar into the cabinet. In 2009, Renukacharya led a rebellion against Yediyuirappa’s government, taking a team of MLAs to Goa.
“It’s true that some likeminded MLAs have come together and we plan to meet over breakfast or lunch to discuss political issues. But we have no plans to go to any resort,” he said, downplaying his trip to Delhi. “I have come here in connection with work in my constituency, Honnali.”
Meanwhile, after landing in Bengaluru, Shah will head for Shivamogga to participate in various programmes, including the inauguration of the Rapid Action Force unit in Bhadravathi. He will return to the state capital the same evening and attend an event at the Vidhana Soudha. On Sunday, he will participate in a programme of Nirani Group in Bagalkot and inaugurate a high-tech simulation training centre at the Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College. He is scheduled to visit the residence of the late Union minister Suresh Angadi.