Daijiworld Media Network – Bengaluru (MS)
Bengaluru, Aug 8: The newly formed Bommai-led cabinet seems to be already witnessing grumblings as a section of ministers minced no words in expressing unhapinness over the portfolios assigned to them. Soon after chief minister Basavaraj Bommai allocated the portfolios to cabinet ministers on Saturday August 7, some ministers such as Anand Singh and MTB Nagaraj openly expressed their disappointment. Sriramulu also joined them.
Minister Anand Singh said he was extremely annoyed with the tourism portfolio. He said that he will approach former chief minister Yediyurappa as well as Bommai and appeal to them to change his portfolio. In a veiled threat, he said, "I had asked for a different portfolio. What is allocated to me is not the one I asked for. If I do not get what I want, I will follow my own way.
"Everyone knows that I was the first one to resign from Congress and help BJP come to power in the state. It does not mean that the BJP government was formed only because of me. There are many who have resigned like me," said Anand Singh.
Minister MTB Nagaraj tweeted, "I am not happy with the portfolio that is allocated to me. Former chief minister Yediyurappa and current chief minister Bommai have not kept their promise. I will convey my decision in the next two to three days."
BJP MLA of Hassan Preetam J Gowda said, “I will not tolerate if chief minister Bommai plays adjustment politics. If Bommai visits Deve Gowda within one or two days of becoming chief minister, what is the message going to public? Revanna has already started saying in public that chief minister Bommai listens to what he says."
Responding to the disappointment expressed by some ministers, chief minister Bommai said, "Portfolios are distributed keeping in mind change of administration. I will speak to all ministers who are not happy. The accusation of Preetam Gowda that he was not given the position because I listened to what Deve Gowda said is not true."