BENGALURU: After expansion of chief minister BS Yediyurappa’s 17-month-old cabinet, all eyes are now on distribution of portfolios to the seven new ministers.
The new entrants are exerting pressure on Yediyurappa for portfolios ranging from Bengaluru development to energy and excise. However, the playing field is not restricted to the seven, but also some loyalists in his cabinet, who feel they have been hard done by.
“It’s becoming a tough task for Yediyurappa to handle the tussle and therefore he’s seeking a formal approval on portfolio allocation from Union home minister Amit Shah, who is on a two-day visit to the state, to ensure everyone falls in line,” a senior BJP functionary said.
As per sources, some big leaders may get less important berths, while new faces could be given greater responsibility. Among the portfolios with the CM, Bengaluru development and energy are said to be the most sought after. New minister Umesh Katti, senior-most MLA in the party, is eyeing the energy portfolio, while Ramesh Jarkiholi has also stepped up pressure on the CM to give him energy in exchange for water resources, which he currently holds.
Newly inducted minister Aravind Limbavali, who represents Mahadevapura constituency in Bengaluru, has set his sights on Bengaluru development. The other biggies in the cabinet from Bengaluru, CN Ashwath Narayan and R Ashoka, are also leaving no stone unturned. But grapevine has it that notwithstanding the pressure from new and old ministers, Yediyurappa may retain energy and Bengaluru development. Party insiders indicated that he may part with energy under some pressure but not the latter.
“It’s now the most powerful ministry after the CM’s post and home ministry. Yediyurappa wants a complete hold over Bengaluru with the state government mooting the Bengaluru Mission involving about Rs 25,000 crore. With BBMP elections scheduled over the next few months, allotting the ministry at this stage would not have been a politically savvy move as the party needs the support of all MLAs and ministers from Bengaluru to retain power,” sources said, adding that the CM may not want to disturb his new-found loyalist SR Vishwanath, who is currently BDA chairman, by bringing in a new minister.
Rumour has it that new minister Murgesh Nirani, who handled the industries portfolio in the previous BJP regime between 2008 and 2013, is demanding the same but is unlikely to get it unless former CM Jagadish Shettar concurs with him. “Yediyurappa may not want to get on the wrong side of Shettar, especially when dissidence is still brewing against the him,” party sources said. There is talk of the home portfolio going to Shettar or R Ashoka along with another minor portfolio, and Nirani getting either industries or revenue.
The chief minister may not have a tough time in allocating portfolios to S Angara, a six-time MLA, and MLCs CP Yogeshwar, R Shankar and MTB Nagaraj, though they are hoping to land plum berths. They are more likely to get one of these: excise, small scale industries, planning, information and public relations, backward class welfare, tourism, Kannada and culture, youth empowerment and sports.
This apart, the CM has the liberty to withdraw some of the additional portfolios allocated to old-timers. Deputy chief minister Ashwath Narayan currently holds four — higher education, IT & BT, science and technology and skill development. Other secondary portfolios held by other senior ministers include minor irrigation, medical education, horticulture and sericulture, sugar and public enterprise.