Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)
Bengaluru, Sep 5: MLA representing Vijayayanagara constituency in the city, M Krishnappa, who had been deprived of berth in the state cabinet at the last minute during the previous ministry reorganization during June, has been made minister all of a sudden. It is said that Krishnappa was made minister because of the blessings of the party high command.
Chief minister, Siddaramaiah, bowing to pressure brought on him by the national leaders of the party, decided to induct Krishnappa into the ministry. Krishnappa will be taking over as a cabinet minister at 4.30 pm at a function being held at the glass house of Raj Bhavan on Monday September 5.
It is learnt that mines and geology minister, Vinay Kulakarni, and animal husbandry minister, A Manju, who are currently holding minister of state rank, will be promoted as cabinet ministers After the oath-taking function, Siddaramaiah will be recommending to the governor to upgrade these two ministers to cabinet grade, it is said.
M Krishnappa is likely to get the department housing, which was vacated by the dropping of former minister, Ambareesh. If sources are to be believed, he will also be made in-charge minister for Mandya district.
Krishnappa, whose name was in the list of probables during the last reorganization of ministry, had been dropped at the last minute because of pressure from influential persons and also disinterestedness of the chief minister. Krishnappa's fans, who had made preparations for celebrating the elevation of their leader, had turned angry thereafter and held protests. Krishnappa belongs to powerful Vokkaliga community, and will fill the void created by the dropping of Vokkaliga leaders, Ambareesh and Kimmane Ratnakar.
It is said that pressure was brought on Siddaramaiah to accommodate Krishnappa, during his visit to New Delhi to get high command's nod for filling vacancies of chairpersons of boards and corporations. The ministry has one vacancy now, which is said to have been reserved for former minister, K J George.