CM Basavaraj Bommai retains Bengaluru development portfolio; some fear it may hurt BJP’s chances in civic polls

BENGALURU: Despite having seven ministers from Bengaluru in the cabinet, chief minister Basavaraj Bommai has taken a cue from his predecessor BS Yediyurappa and retained the Bengaluru development portfolio.
But the move has not gone down well with some of his senior cabinet colleagues and a few party functionaries, who fear the step may hurt BJP’s prospects in the upcoming BBMP elections.

The post was much sought after by both party loyalists and turncoats.
Ahead of allocation, party sources said Bommai was keen on handing over Bengaluru development to senior minister R Ashoka keeping BBMP elections in mind.
However, they said he came under pressure from other senior ministers who insisted he keep the portfolio. Later, the CM chose to retain Bengaluru development, fearing a tussle if it’s allotted to anyone else.
“There are seven ministers from Bengaluru. One of them should have been given the responsibility, especially keeping BBMP polls in mind, which are a few months away. You need a minister to lead the party’s campaign and set the tone for the polls,” said an upset minister. R Ashoka, CN Ashwath Narayan and V Somanna had lobbied hard for Bengaluru development.
The opposition Congress has already appointed R Ramalinga Reddy as a KPCC working president, apparently with an eye on BBMP elections.
To counter Reddy, a senior minister from the city should have been assigned the charge of Bengaluru development, said a veteran BJP functionary.
“BJP is under pressure to win the elections as it is governing the state. The CM cannot take a risk at this time,” the functionary added.
A BJP minister, who was keen on the portfolio, said a dedicated minister was required for Bengaluru development, especially with a lot of ongoing development work.
“The work needs to be monitored constantly. There are also administrative issues, which require day-to-day redressal. Does the CM have time for all this? Besides, there are elections too and the CM cannot devote time, especially when he’s under pressure to perform,” he said.
Bommai avoided a tussle, says MLA
Some BJP functionaries said it was a wise move by Bommai to keep the much sought-after portfolio for himself.
“If BJP aims to come back to power in civic body polls, it needs the support of all party MLAs and ministers from Bengaluru. If the ministry was given to any of the seven, there would have been bad blood. By retaining it, he has avoided an open tussle,” said a BJP MLA.