Bellary: Cabinet Reshuffle - Reddy Brothers End Prolonged Silence

Daijiworld Media Network – Bellary (SP)

Bellary, Sep 21: Tourism and district in-charge minister, G Janardan Reddy, who is very vocal, and who had all along, strangely kept mum at the hectic activities going on within the party over the expected cabinet reshuffle has finally broke his silence. He has jumped into the fray to aid the legislators, who had helped BJP form government in the state.

“North Karnataka is a very backward region. Even if one of the ministers from this region is dropped, it would be regarded as a step against the development of this region. It would be improper to drop ministers who had come to the aid of the BJP to form the government here, when the party was facing problems,” he said.

He reiterated his opinion that no minister from North Karnataka and no one, who was offered ministership for helping the party to come to power, should be dropped. He said he would hold discussions with state BJP president, K S Eshwarappa, and national president of the party, Nitin Gadkari, if he feels a need for it. He added that he firmly believes that minister Gulihatti Shekhar and Shivanagouda Naik, considered close to him, who had extended support to the BJP to enable it to form government in the state, will not be dropped as speculated in some media reports.

At the same time, elder brother of Janardan Reddy, and revenue minister, Karunakar Reddy, sang a different tune. He refused to react when questioned about his reported statement to tender resignation as a legislator if a few ministers close to him are dropped. “Even after the reshuffle, I will retain my portfolio. I will not interfere with the exercise of cabinet reshuffle/expansion. We will fully extend support to the Chief Minister in reorganizing or reshuffling of the ministry. These exercises will be conducted as per the guidance of the National Core Committee of the party and top leaders,” he stated.