New Karnataka Cabinet: Few ministers express dissatisfaction

www.mangaloretoday.com

Bengaluru, Aug 8, 2021: Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai formed his new cabinet, allocated portfolios to 29 ministers on Saturday. In Bommai’s cabinet, 23 were ministers in the previous BS Yediyurappa-led cabinet, while six are new.

Since the portfolio is out, few ministers are showing dissatisfaction. MLA Anand Singh expressed discontent with the portfolio allotment to him, saying he hadn’t “asked for it”. Karnataka Minister Anand Singh, who has been given Ecology, Environment, and Tourism portfolios, said, “I didn’t ask for this portfolio. Whatever request I made at the party forum has not been considered. I am planning to meet the CM. I will request him to reconsider my request,”.

Shashikala Jolle has also expressed her dissatisfaction for given Muzrai and Wakf in the new Cabinet. According to her despite being the lone woman in the Cabinet, the Women and Child Development Department was not given to her.

While Senior Minister B. Sriramulu is also unhappy over the portfolios, he has been made in charge of Transport and the newly carved out Scheduled Tribes Welfare from the Social Welfare Department. He was earlier held charge of the entire Social Welfare Ministry, which he was keen on retaining.

According to sources, Surapura MLA Rajugowda, Hiriyur MLA Poornima Sreenivas, and Yediyurappa’s close follower MP Renukacharya met Yediyurappa broke down in front of him complaining that they didn’t make it to Bommai’s Cabinet.

JP MLA Basavanagowda Patil Yatnal and former minister CP Yogishwar Arvind Bellad who were very much outspoken against former Yediyurappa and were charged with corruption have been kept out of the new Cabinet.

Arvind Bellad who advocated himself as the new CM didn’t get any ministership while Murugesh Nirani whose name was doing the rounds as a replacement for Yediyurappa got ministership in Bommai’s Cabinet.

Supporters of Nehru Olekar from Haveri staged a protest in front of the Vidhana Soudha demanding a ministerial post to Olekar. On the other hand, Ashok Mamani, deputy speaker of the Karnataka assembly threatened to resign for not getting a ministerial post.

Responding to these reports, Karnataka CM said that everyone can’t get the portfolios they want. Addressing the media, Basavaraj Bommai said, "Everyone can’t get the portfolios they want. He (minister Anand Singh) is close to me so everything will be fine. I called him and spoke with him. I will handle it".