New Delhi: New Karnataka Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda on Wednesday ruled out creation of a Deputy Chief
Minister`s post and re-induction of controversial Reddy
brothers in the Cabinet.
On his first visit to Delhi after assuming office, Gowda
said the central leadership was not in favour of a Deputy
Chief Minister as none of the BJP-ruled states have such a
post.
"My central party is there. My state party is there. I am
not the only one to take decisions on all these things. All
the directions given by the central leadership will be
(implemented) after consultations," he said in response to a
query whether Reddy brothers would be inducted into Cabinet.
Mining magnates -- G Karunakara Reddy and G Janardhana
Reddy -- and their aide Sriramulu were kept out of the Gowda
cabinet after the state Lokayukta indicted them in its report
on the mining issue.
Janardhana, who is camping here, has met BJP leaders
apparently lobbying for their re-entry into the Government.
On differences with his cabinet colleague Jagdhish
Shettar, who was also a contender for the Chief Minister`s
post after B S Yeddyurappa quit on July 31, Gowda expressed
confidence that all issues would be resolved.
"I have been a President of the state BJP for four years
and there were differences then also. I was able to resolve
everything. Now such a situation has come to me again. Every
one can be rest assured that all will be solved," he said.
On reports that he has constructed a building in
violation of rules, he said: "Sadananda Gowda is not above the
law. Law will take its own course. I will abide by whatever
decision is taken."
The Chief Minister said he would expand his cabinet
within a fortnight.
Gowda said consultations with the central leadership on
Cabinet expanison have already started and would be completed
very soon.
The Chief Minister, who met Prime Minister Manmohan
Singh, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee and Home Minister P
Chidambaram yesterday, also held a breakfast meeting with MPs
from the state.
The meeting was attended by Corporate Affairs Minister
Veerappa Moily, Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Rehman Khan, BJP
leader Ananth Kumar and other MPs. Congress General Secretary
Oscar Fernandes was also present.
At the meeting, the Chief Minister requested all the MPs
to support the state government in getting early clearences
for projects related to Karnataka from Centre.
During his meeting with Singh, Gowda requested him to
inaugurate the 1st phase of Bangalore Metro in September.
To a question, Gowda said, "He was the captain, but there
are other team members also who will have equal
responsibilities."
Gowda likely to expand ministry by this weekend
Karnataka Chief Minister DV Sadananda Gowda is likely to expand his ministry by this week end to fill up 12 vacancies, Minister for Home and Transport R
Ashoka said on Wednesday.
"The next round of ministry expansion is expected by this
week end," Ashoka told reporters here.
Gowda is currently in New Delhi holding consultations with
the BJP high command and meeting Union ministers.
On August 8, Gowda inducted 21 ministers with cabinet rank,
but left out mining magnates Reddy brothers and their close
associate Sreeramulu following their indictment in the
Lokayukta report on illegal mining.
PTI
