Cabinet Reshuffle: Four Ministers Face Axe, Shobha Karandlaje may Return

Bangalore, Sep 18 (PTI): Up to four ministers may face the axe and three aspirants get on board the B S Yeddyurappa cabinet, as senior state BJP leaders discussed expansion and reshuffle of the 28-month-old ministry in Karnataka. 
 
Yeddyurappa was closeted with party leaders, including state president K S Eshwarappa, his predecessor D V Sadananda Gowda, Rural Development Minister Jagadish Shettar and RSS ideologues at the core committee meeting called to discuss the long awaited ministry re-casting exercise.

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Eshwarappa told reporters that the leaders deliberated on whom to drop and to induct, adding the inconclusive discussions would continue tomorrow.

He said the party would be ready with the names by tomorrow evening, after which central leadership's nod would be sought.

"It (cabinet restructuring) will happen this month," Eshwarappa, who himself quit as energy minister to assume charge as head of the state unit, said.

Party sources said the cabinet expansion is likely to take place as early as next week.

The sources also said three to four ministers are likely to be dropped. Yeddyurappa would also fill three vacancies in the cabinet.

Yeddyurappa's confidante Shobha Karandlaje, who was dropped following the demand for her ouster by rebels last year, is likely to return. Another front-runner for cabinet berth is C T Ravi, the party MLA from Chikamagalur.

Sources said loyalty, seniority and representation to all districts would be key yardsticks in the exercise. The party is likely replace the dropped ministers from aspirants from the same caste.