Bangalore: Reshuffle Carrot Silences Rebels

Bangalore, Sep 23 (DHNS): BJP State President K S Eshwarappa’s statement that another reshuffle was on the cards soon after the budget session of legislature and that heads of various boards and corporations will be appointed in next 15 days has virtually demolished rebel resistance in the party. 

Some straight talking done by party president K S Eshwarappa with Tourism Minister Janardhana Reddy on Tuesday night seems to have had effect.

The Bellary trio had held a parallel meeting with disgruntled legislators and dropped ministers soon after it became clear that the Chief Minister was going ahead with the Cabinet reshuffle. Eshwarappa is understood to have told Reddy that it was his responsibility to ensure discipline among his followers or he would have to face the consequences. Chastened, the Bellary ministers have decided to lie low and bide their time.

Legislators like Belur Gopalakrishna who voiced his dissent at being left out from the Cabinet, are now isolated. Gopalakrishna was banking on the support of an informal group led by Excise Minister M P Renukacharya and comprising several ministers and legislators.

This group is learnt to have pledged to even sacrifice their ministerial berths to safeguard each other’s interest. However, that was not to be. Two other legislators who threw tantrums in the run-up to the Cabinet reshuffle - C T Ravi and Appachu Ranjan - have been promised the posts of parliamentary secretaries.

Speaking with reporters, Eshwarappa said party workers from all 224 Assembly constituencies would be considered for nomination to various boards and corporations.

Four active workers from each constituency - belonging to Scheduled Caste or Tribe, a woman, a OBC and a general candidate would be nomin