Daijiworld Media Network – Bangalore (SP)

Bangalore, Aug 30: It is learnt that the BJP high command has given its go ahead to state Chief Minister (CM), to expand or reshuffle his ministry after the conclusion of the two by-elections. By elections for Gulbarga South and Kadur assembly constituencies will be held next month, and the CM may take up expansion anytime after September 20, sources have revealed.

The national leaders of party have given their nod for the inclusion of Shboha Karandlaje into the ministry, as the CM is very much interested to re-induct her, and also considering the fact that she had worked efficiently during her tenure as a minister till being dropped. At the same time, the Renukacharya faction, supported by Bellary Reddys, which engineered an open revolt against the CM and brought pressure on him to show Karandlaje the door, has now been lying low. Former minister, V Somanna, who had to resign following his electoral debacle, is the other addition to the ministry, as the CM has been very much interested to see him in the ministry to strengthen the party base in the city. Somanna, who came into the BJP through ‘Operation Kamala’, and was included in the ministry, had to resign following his electoral defeat. He was later made an MLC.

Reportedly, a faction owing allegiance to MP, Aanant Kumar, has been stubbornly demanding for the induction of a few persons recommended by it, into the ministry. The CM, it is gathered, has agreed to the suggestion of the faction to include a couple of youngsters and veteran leaders into the ministry by reshuffling the portfolios of a few ministers, without confining the ministry expansion to the addition of just two ministers.

As such, the CM is presently busy in making a list of ministers who can be dropped, taking into consideration the performance of their respective departments and their ability to exercise control over these departments.