As a reward for saving the government from the verge of collapse, it is likely that one of the Reddys will be made the Deputy Chief Minister
As a reward for saving the government from the verge of collapse, it is likely that one of the Reddys will be made the Deputy Chief Minister
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The clear winners of the assembly fiasco seem to be the Reddys. Sources say that the Reddy camp is likely to be rewarded with DCM (Deputy Chief Minister) post for their efforts to save the BJP government that was on the verge of collapse.
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| Big brothers of K'taka: Although Sriramulu's name is doing the rounds, it is believed that Janardana Reddy will be made the Deputy Chief Minister. File pic |
According to reliable sources in the BJP, either Tourism Minister Janardana Reddy, or Health Minister Sriramulu will be made DCM, while the government is likely to see a new chief minister.
"Although Sriramulu's name is doing the rounds, Janardana Reddy is the most likely candidate for DCM," said the source. "It will take some time after the trust vote for the appointment."
Changing Yeddyurappa as CM was the main issue of discussion when the national leaders of the BJP met in Delhi after his government won the controversial trust vote in the Assembly on Monday. The Reddy camp managed to bag the DCM post after a dragging bargain.
"Yeddyurappa will not be replaced immediately, as the high command wants a smooth transition, but the decision regarding the DCM's appointment will be taken shortly."
Reddys are the mining lords from Bellary and they along with Sriramulu, their man Friday, played a pivotal role with their money and muscle power in bringing BJP to power in the assembly elections in 2008. While Sriramulu, G Janardana Reddy, and his brother G Karunakara Reddy are cabinet ministers, the youngest brother G Somashekara Reddy is a legislator.
Occupying a strong position in the government, Reddys even tried arm-twisting the chief minister that resulted in a tussle between them. This in turn, resulted in a dissident activity, when Reddys took some 50 MLAs to a hotel in Andhara Pradesh last year. The crisis ended with the Chief Minister giving in to sack his close friend Shobha Karandlaje from the cabinet.
The dissident MLAs again raised the banner of revolt, last month, following a cabinet expansion. This time they were instigated by JD(S) state working resident HD Kumaraswamy. The Reddys, who were seen as bitter rivals of Kumaraswamy, played saviours and managed to divide the rebel camp.u00a0
"It was a win-win situation for the Reddys and Yeddyurappa and because of their coordinated efforts and the Speaker, who disqualified the rebel MLAs," said the sources. "The Reddys are rightfully getting their pound of flesh."Janardana Reddy declined to comment.
| Lucky day for the BJP |
| Yesterday's developments favoured the BJP. Vartur Prakash, an independent MLA, who was with Kumaraswamy, switched to BJP, with Janardana cutting a deal with him. A handful of MLAs from Congress and JD(S) are reportedly lined up to help the BJP by abstaining from voting. This even forced the beleaguered Congress and JD(S), at a point of time, to consider boycotting the Assembly today in a bid to avoid embarrassment, while the BJP is sure of winning the vote of confidence. |
