BENGALURU: Various factions in the state BJP have begun hectic lobbying for ministerial berths as chief minister Basavaraj Bommai said he would decide on expanding his cabinet after consulting the party high command on July 30.
Bommai faces pressure from at least five camps: BJP loyalists who have waited for an opportunity for years, BS Yediyurappa’s close aides, Yediyurappa’s detractors, crossover legislators who helped the party form the government in 2019, and seniors in the previous cabinet.
The BJP brass has reportedly sent a message that it plans to build a new crop of leaders by giving a chance to younger faces and legislators who have been deprived of cabinet roles despite merit. Bommai is expected to accommodate such members first in his team.
“If the guiding principle is to encourage the new crop, then fresh faces must be given the opportunity irrespective of how many times they have won elections. The first-timers should also be considered,” said V Sunil Kumar, a three-time MLA from Karkala, Udupi district.
The cabinet can accommodate 34 legislators. It will be a challenging task for the new chief minister to choose from 119 BJP MLAs. If he wants to promote younger members, he may have to drop some seniors. After the audio clip controversy involving state BJP president Nalin Kumar Kateel, there was speculation over the stints of Jagadish Shettar and KS Eshwarappa. Shettar, who was the industries minister in Yediyurappa’s cabinet, has offered to step aside, while Eshwarappa, who held the portfolio of rural development and panchayat raj, is keen on being retained, ideally with a promotion.
Pontiffs of more than 10 mutts of the Kuruba community met at Eshwarappa’s residence on Wednesday and warned that BJP would struggle to get community votes if he was not appointed as the deputy chief minister. Eshwarappa is one of the most prominent figures of the community, which is the third-largest voter group with a 9 per cent share after Vokkaligas (10 per cent) and Lingayats (13 per cent). The pontiffs have called a press conference on Thursday to express solidarity with him.
“The swamijis want me to become the deputy chief minister. I will convey their feelings to the party brass,” Eshwarappa said.
Honnali legislator MP Renukacharya, seen as close to Yediyurappa, is eyeing a role in the government. “I represent Davanagere district, which has elected five BJP MLAs. At least one should be a minister,” he said. One camp of Yediyurappa’s detractors wanted Dharwad West MLA Arvind Bellad to become the chief minister and had sought the deputy’s post for CP Yogeeshwara. They are disappointed with the turn of events. “We expect corruption-free governance under Bommai. I will be a minister if given the opportunity,” said senior BJP MLA Basangouda Patil Yatnal, one of Yediyurappa’s most vocal critics.
Crossover legislators — former Congress and JD(S) members — are hoping that Bommai will honour Yediyurappa’s promise and let them retain their cabinet spots. There were 11 such ministers in Yediyurappa’s team. “It was the high command’s word to make us ministers. I am confident that they will keep it,” said MTB Nagaraju.
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