Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Aug 26: In all likelihood, portfolio allocation to 17 ministers who have already been sworn in as ministers of the BJP government, would be announced on Monday August 26. At the same time, announcement about the number of deputy ministers and names thereof may also be made, it is said.

To appease the disgruntled legislators, three or four more MLAs may be inducted into the ministry, it is said. To appease the heartburn in Belagavi district, Umesh Katti may be made a minster, and Balachandra Jarkiholi is likely to be made the president of Karnataka Milk Federation.

Sources say that there is possibility of a senior legislator from coastal Karnataka as well as from Hyderabad Karnataka being inducted into the ministry.

Speaking at New Delhi on Sunday August 25, chief minister, B S Yediyurappa said that on Monday, the process of allocation of portfolios would be completed. He said that the new government will have deputy chief minister. He acknowledged that some have objection about Laxman Savadi having been made a minister, but clarified that it was done at the behest of the party high command. He said that another MLA from Belagavi would be made a minister.

Yediyurappa stated that he will follow the instructions of the Prime Minister and party leadership. "There are no problems within the BJP. But JD(S) and Congress have been facing problems," he observed. He said that those who could not be accommodated in the ministry would be given posts in corporations and boards.