Karnataka: Portfolio reshuffle on the cards

Bangalore: Yielding to demands of a section of ministers mainly from the anti-Yeddyurappa camp, the state BJP leadership has reportedly decided to reshuffle portfolios immediately after the ongoing extended Budget session. According to highly placed sources, the party high command had asked Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar to look into the ministers’ demand for reallocation of portfolios and sort out the issue amicably immediately after the session. Interestingly, former CM B S Yeddyurappa is also said to be favouring portfolio reallocation.

Several ministers, including Municipal Administration Minister Balachandra Jarkiholi, are not happy with the present portfolio allocation. They feel that the Yeddyurappa group had got all plum portfolios, including energy and water resources, which share among themselves 70 per cent of budgetary allocation. They are also upset with Deputy Chief Ministers R Ashok and K S Eshwarappa holding two key portfolios each. While Ashok holds home and transport, Eshwarappa is given revenue and rural development and panchayat raj.

Jarkiholi and his team has been vocal about their demand for plum portfolios and had reportedly threatened to boycott the Presidential elections besides abstaining from the session when the Finance Bill would be taken up for passing. The party high command, however, pacified them with a promise to look into their demand after the session, sources add.

The state BJP has reportedly decided to reshuffle portfolios after the Budget session.

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