In a move to contain dissidence within the ruling BJP, Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyuappa has decided to expand his Ministry. Addressing presspersons here on Monday, the Chief Minister said he would induct one MLA into the Cabinet in a day or two. Three or four MLAs had been aspiring to become Ministers, but only one would be accommodated in the Cabinet.
However, he declined to name the person who would be inducted into the Cabinet. “We will decide the candidate tomorrow evening,” he said.
Sources in the party said that Honnali MLA M.P. Renukacharya might get a berth. A few rebel MLAs, including Mr. Renukacharya and former Minister S.K. Bellubi, had been lobbying for Cabinet berths.
The Chief Minister had agreed to induct at least one rebel MLA into the Cabinet after consultations with his Cabinet colleagues and party and RSS leaders on Sunday, the sources said.
The Chief Minister, while ruling out reshuffle in the portfolios of Ministers before the presentation of the budget for 2010-11 in the Legislative Assembly, said no Minister would be dropped.
No legislator had indulged in “blackmail” politics and “there is also no dissidence in the party, and the Government will complete its five-year term,” he reiterated.
Stating that the Government would focus on gaining the confidence of the people, the Chief Minister said attention would be given for preparing a “people-friendly” budget next year.
Asked about any possible danger to the Government after the “good show” by the Congress-Janata Dal (S) alliance in the Legislative Council polls, Mr. Yeddyurappa said there was no danger to the Government.
Asked about the BJP’s performance in the polls, the Chief Minister said that despite the party’s poor strength in the local bodies, it had won 10 seats. “I am extremely happy with the results” he said.
To a question on the election of a new State BJP president, the Chief Minister said he would be elected unanimously. The BJP national president had been elected unanimously and the same thing would be repeated here also, Mr. Yeddyurappa added.
