Mangalore: Twin Districts Without In-charge Ministers, Aspirants in Line

Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (SP)

Mangalore, Feb 17: Both Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts are devoid of in-charge ministers at present. While Krishna J Palemar had to leave the cabinet in connection with controversy surrounding watching of porn video clip on mobile in the assembly, Dr V S Acharya’s sudden death has orphaned Udupi district.

The information that cabinet expansion will take place within the next two weeks has held the MLAs from these districts in a bind. They do not plan to openly demand for a seat in the ministry as they are mourning the demise of Dr V S Acharya, and at least till the 13-day post-funeral rituals are completed, they want to remain subdued. At present, they have not been showing any interest to lobby hard for a slot in the ministry, but it appears they will accept the post, if offered.

Kota Srinivas Poojary, Yogish Bhat

Out of four BJP MLAs from Udupi district, Halady Srinivas Shetty representing Kundapur constituency, K Raghupati Bhat from Udupi, Lalaji R Mendon from Kaup and K Lakshminarayana from Byndoor, one will make it to the cabinet, it is speculated.

It need not come as a surprise, if MLC from the district, Kota Srinivas Poojary, becomes a minister. Halady Srinivas Shetty is the senior-most among these MLAs, and hence, naturally, he will be the first choice. Shetty says he will think about accepting the ministerial position only after he is offered one. Lalaji R Mendon and Lakshminarayana too think that Shetty should be the natural choice from the district. Mendon says that his turn will come only if Shetty rejects the offer. 

BJP has four MLAs from Dakshina Kannada district. Angara representing Sullia and N Yogish Bhat representing Mangalore South constituency are the senior-most among them. Ministerial berth has remained elusive for Angara time and again.

Yogish Bhat is presently the deputy speaker of the assembly, and his name is also making the rounds as the likely candidate for Udupi-Chikmagalur Lok Sabha constituency. While it is difficult to predict what stand BJP will take in case of Palemar, even if he is declared not guilty by the house committee, Mallika Prasad, being the first timer, may not be able to get elevated to the ministry for now, one feels.