Bangalore: Eleven months after surviving a serious crisis to his government, Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yedyurappa o Wednesday inducted six ministers bringing back his confidante Shobha Karandlaje, who was ousted in the face of dissidence by the Reddy brothers.
The expansion of the BJP`s only government in the South came a day after the chief minister sacked three ministers who were supporters of mining magnates--Tourism Minister G Janardhana Reddy and Revenue Minister G Karunakara Reddy—who had raised the banner of revolt against Yeddyurappa last winter.
Besides Karandlaje, the others who were sworn in by Governor H R Bhardwaj at a ceremony held in Raj Bhavan were A Narayanaswamy, C H Vijayashankar, C C Patil V Somanna and S A
Ramadas.
The strength of the 28-month old government goes up to
34 with no vacant positions.
The Reddy brothers yesterday spoke against dropping the
three ministers whom they had contended had helped the BJP
government at a crucial time after the May 2008 elections when
it fell short of a majority by a few seats. Surprisingly, they
kept a low profile today after attending the induction
ceremony.
"We are happy with the party decision. We go by
whatever decision the party takes", Janardhana Reddy, who was
unhappy with the sacking of Aravind Limbavali, Shivanagouda
Naik and Goolihatti Shekar, told reporters. Shekar had a few
days ago even threatened to commit suicide if he was dropped
from the ministry.
Sensing the brewing discontent among legislators hoping
to make it into the ministry , state unit party President K S
Eswarappa said the ministry would again be restructured after
March next and at least three new faces given a chance.
The softening of stance by Janardhana Reddy and
Karunanakara Reddy was being attributed in BJP circles to the
on-going probe by the state CID into illegal mining and
illegal export of iron ore and also by Lokayukta.
Yeddyurappa, who hails from the dominant Lingayat
community, also chose not to pay heed to the reported
insistence by the party National General Secretary H N
Anantkumar against carrying out the reshuffle now and also his
attempts to bring his supporters into the ministry.
"Finally, I have got justice" was the cryptic reaction
by Karandlaje, who has been a target among sections of the BJP
for wielding influence disproportionate to her status.
PTI
