Bangalore: Stability Crisis Grips Ministers – 22 Legislators Come Together

Daijiworld Media Network – Bangalore (SP)

Bangalore, Aug 31: As the oft-postponed state cabinet expansion-cum-reshuffle is expected to happen shortly, butterflies have started fluttering in the stomachs of many, who feel threatened by the development. The independent legislators, who had bargained hard for their ministerships in exchange for extending support to the BJP, and those who became ministers after falling prey to ‘Operation Kamala’, along with their close supporters, have formed an alliance of necessity, in conformity with the adage, ‘birds of the same feather flock together’.

It is learnt that the 22 legislators have decided to act in unison, even if one among them is made to sacrifice his position. Reportedly, this group has the support of a few BJP MLAs. It is said that this group, which includes eight ministers, has the tacit support of excise minister, M P Renukacharya.

As a first step, this group is expected to approach the Chief Minister to question him on the propriety of stripping minister, D Sudhakar, an independent MLA, of his social welfare portfolio, in relation to the deaths of beggars at the Beggars Rehabilitation Centre in the city. The group is expected to tell the CM that he could have given the minor irrigation portfolio, presently vested with Govind Karjol, to Sudhakar, instead of the inconsequential muzrai department.

The consternation of the group is growing by the day because of conflicting media reports that have bee speculating about the names of ministers who are likely to be dripped, and the long silence owned by the CM on this issue. The ministers in the group say that the officials have not been responding to their instructions properly, after finding them in the list of ministers expected to be dropped. They also are planning to squarely ask the CM about their fate, to clear the air of uncertainty over their future once and for all.