Former rural development minister keeps to grassroots social work after ouster from ministry during the recent rebellion in the BJP
Former rural development minister keeps to grassroots social work after ouster from ministry during the recent rebellion in the BJP
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WORKING AWAY AT IT: Shobha Karandlaje is visiting villages and temples, say party insiders |
Shobha Karandlaje, the former rural development minister, has kept her self busy since party elders asked her to lay low after she was sacked from the CM BS Yedyurappa cabinet last month following pressure by BJP rebels led by the Reddy brothers.
After being sacked, Karandlaje had rushed to flood-hit areas in the state only to be pulled up by party members.
Karandlaje reportedly goes to sleep by 10 pm these days, when she would earlier work till well past mid-night.
"Although the family members are happy she is relaxing, they are also upset over the turn of events. She is visiting temples these days and attending to low-profile issues like sanitation in villages," said a source close to her.
Last week, she visited Chikkamagalur and Thirthahalli to discuss the Naxal problem with the locals there.
Karandlaje said it was not correct to say she was hibernating or maintaining a low profile. "Who said I have been brushed aside. I am a social worker and I am enjoying my social work. Believe me, I am happy and active as I have always been," Karandlaje said.
Karandlaje is believed to have played a role in fomenting dissent in the party. The first time-MLA started briefing media about cabinet decisions after the Yeddyurappa government came into existence, last year. Many senior leaders felt she was taking the spotlight from them, as media briefings are usually done senior ministers. Karandlaje has to stop after the party high command intervened.
She was also known to call officers of various departments to her office, something that is understood to be a CM's privilege. The move not only ruffled the feathers of bureaucrats but also triggered dissident in the BJP that ultimately resulted in Karandlaje's removal from the cabinet.
Also read: Shobha moves out of room, so does Yeddy
