Bengaluru, Feb 4: The possibility of defeated MLA CP Yogeshwar being inducted into chief minister BS Yediyurappa’s cabinet is causing ripples within the ruling BJP, with many legislators, especially from Kalyana-Karnataka region, raising a banner of revolt.
Several MLAs led by Surapur legislator Narasimha Nayak, also known as Raju Gouda, held a meeting at the Legislators Home on Monday and voiced their opposition.
"When there are more than two dozen MLAs aspiring for a cabinet berth, making a former MLA a minister is beyond logic," Gouda said. "We will convey our feelings to Yediyurappa and state BJP president Nalin Kumar Kateel." Murugesh Nirani, Paranna Munavalli, Rajkumar Patil, Dattatreya Patil Revoor, Basavaraj Mattimud are among others who attended the meeting. MP Renukacharya, political secretary to the CM and Honnali MLA, was also present at the meeting. "Some more MLAs will join us when we meet again tomorrow," Gouda said.
The MLAs highlighted the issue of caste and regional imbalance in the council of ministers to further their cause. With four from Bengaluru and three from Belagavi district set to take oath on February 6, the share of MLAs from these districts in the cabinet will rise to seven and five respectively. Currently, 16 districts have no representation.
Sources say Yediyurappa and BJP’s national leadership decided to reward Yogeshwar with a cabinet berth for his "active" role in getting 17 Congress-JD(S) MLAs to resign and join the BJP, enabling the party to grab power. The party also believes he has the potential to become the Vokkaliga face of the BJP in the Old Mysuru region, where the party’s organisation is weak.
If Yogeshwar is inducted, he will be the second former MLA to make it to Yediyurappa cabinet after deputy CM Laxman Savadi, who lost the 2018 assembly polls. Several party MLAs were unhappy with Savadi’s elevation and are now upping the ante against the party leadership.
"Let Yogeshwar be made Rajya Sabha or council member. We have no problem. But making him minister is not acceptable. If they want to make defeated MLAs ministers, then why not AH Vishwanath and MTB Nagaraj, whose sacrifices brought BJP to power?" said Gouda.
Reports say Yediyurappa has promised Vishwanath and Nagaraj, the disqualified MLAs who lost the bypolls, that they would be made ministers in June. Both met Yediyurappa and secured this assurance. The two were demanding that they be inducted into the cabinet on Thursday.
Meanwhile, Vijayapura MLA Basavanagouda Patil Yatnal urged the CM to evaluate the performance of existing ministers and drop those found non-performing. "Many ministers don’t even come to the Vidhana Soudha. What is the use of having such ministers?" he asked.
Yediyurappa also continued to face pressure to induct Athani MLA Mahesh Kumatalli into the cabinet. The Jarkiholi brothers, Ramesh and Balachandra met Yediyurappa separately on Monday with a request to make Kumatalli, their confidant, a minister.
Comments
She is the best External Foreign Minister india ever had. Lets pray for her speedy recovery. India need her badly.
Some sarcastic comments by our dignified readers are unwarranted, as an External Affairs Minster she is doing commendable job unlike her predecessor.
We need to learn to appreciate people irrespective of their political affiliation and/or faith. I pray to Almighty to give her good health to serve India and Indians living abroad for many years to come.
Prophet Muhammad pbuh taught us a beautiful DUA to ask with our CREATOR, who Created the heavens & the earth and all that is in between them.
\ O ALLAH, Lord of MANKIND ! Remove our suffering, Heal us as YOU are the HEALER, and None can HEAL but YOU. I beg YOU to bring about healing that leaves behind no Ailment....
Alhamdullillah (Thanks & praise is due to ALLAH) for guiding me on the knowledge that benefits in our LIFE.."
Poor lady..... the Isa visa issue will start haunting her....before that she wants to get herself admitted so that she donot have to face the media and opposition for ANOTHER BLUNDER by her team (first one was Lalit Modi visa)
She is doing a good job as a foreign minister....may God help her to recover speedily ...
oops ...MAY b terrorist attack on her chest...
Wholeheartedly Pray for Early Recovery. Sushma is one of the Best Foreign Minister in India, ever had. And wonderfully she is Human, though she is in BJP!
Let her go to England to get treated when Lalit Modi and Vijay Malia will pay the bill. Vasundra Raji will be her attender.
Why an VIP room of AIIMS is wasted for such unpatriotic people.
She is an able minister and wish to thank for her services to my nation. I do not see her political color but she has worked beyond the narrow confines of political outlook. May God bless her good health.
Hope this capable and very able minister recovers soon. best external affairs minister in india's history.
You are the pride of India madam! Let God give you all the strength !
She hardly does her job as a minister of external affairs since modi is doing all the travelling not giving her a chance to make her mark as mea. She is probably stressed out because of that.
Get well soon mam. Nation needs you!!
Get well soon madam.
Stress of The Job.
Disturbed to hear that EAM Smt @SushmaSwaraj ji has been admitted to AIIMS. Wish her speedy recovery & good health.
Add new comment