Karnataka CM Bommai Meets Amit Shah, Raises Hope of Cabinet Changes

After his meeting with Amit Shah, Bommai said political developments, including Cabinet expansion, were discussed.

The hopes of Cabinet aspirants in Karnataka have soared after Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai finally managed to get an appointment with Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday, 12 May, and announced that the Cabinet expansion would be done in next two-three days.

(Photo: IANS)

Karnataka Chief Minister (CM) Basavaraj Bommai met Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday, 11 May, and announced that the Cabinet expansion would be done in the next two to three days.

After his meeting with Shah in New Delhi, Bommai said, "Political developments, cabinet expansion and a host of issues were discussed during my meeting with Union Home minister Amit Shah."

"The issues related to the Supreme Court order on holding Local Bodies Election, impact of the SC order, decision of the Election Commission, cabinet expansion, all these issues would be discussed with Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) National President JP Nadda too. Shah has conveyed that the decisions would emerge based on the political developments over the next two to three days."

Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai.

Meanwhile, Shah said, "Anything can happen anytime as far as cabinet expansion is concerned."

Uttarakhand and Gujarat Models Won't Apply to Karnataka: CM Bommai

The Chief Minister said that he has been assured by Shah that he would speak to party President JP Nadda and take suitable decisions on Cabinet expansion.

"From my end, I have given all the inputs and now they will have to take a call. I have explained about the prevailing situation in the state. The next week is crucial. The local body elections to be conducted all over the state are important," he added.

He also said that the Uttarakhand or Gujarat models won't apply to Karnataka, and the Cabinet expansion is going to be made based on the state's political scenario.

Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Pralhad Joshi, who hails from Karnataka, was also present in the meeting.

Replying to a specific question about cabinet expansion, Bommai said, "Decisions would be made based on the overall political developments. The situation has been explained to him (Shah). The next one week is very crucial. He has stated that he would convey his decision after studying various aspects of the Local Bodies Election, which is very crucial in the State."

Meanwhile, Bommai said, "No names were discussed for induction into the cabinet. The contours of the expansion would be decided after taking the decision on expansion. The situation to discuss the names did not arise."

Sources in the BJP said that the meeting was held to finalise the list of candidates and to take a final call on crucial issues such as according Cabinet berth to former Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa's son BY Vijayendra and former minister Ramesh Jarkiholi, among others, news agency IANS reported.

As per sources, the final list in this connection has reached the party high command. The high command has got a survey of performance and popularity of ministers done through its sources.

Meanwhile, opposition Congress leaders have already issued statements that many top leaders from the BJP have approached them. Sources said the BJP high command is thinking of dropping some non-performing ministers, IANS reported.

There are five vacant Cabinet berths presently and the party wants to induct 10 new faces. The party is also contemplating to change the Home Minister in the state, and Present Revenue Minister R Ashok is said to be the preferred choice for the job. Presently, Araga Jnanendra is holding the portfolio.

BJP national General Secretary BL Santhosh's recent statement that bringing change in leadership is the strength of the BJP, had caused ripples in the state's political corridors.

(With inputs from IANS.)