Chief whip resigns, other disappointed MLAs plot next move after their names were not included in CM's announcement of four additional cabinet ministers
Chief whip resigns, other disappointed MLAs plot next move after their names were not included in CM's announcement of four additional cabinet ministersThe BJP seems headed for another storm with the chief whip resigning and other party MLAs openly expressing their displeasure over Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa's choice of the four legislators who will take an oath as his cabinet colleagues tomorrow.
Time up? Experts say Yeddyurappa was asking for trouble by going in
for the cabinet expansion. File picDisappointed at his name not being included, party Chief Whip N Jivraj stayed true to his word, as reported by MiD DAY yesterday, and resigned from the post. Madikeri MLA Appachu Ranjan expressed his displeasure openly while a handful of other disappointed legislators are discussing their next moves.
"Going by the developing situation, I can say the party is entering another crisis," said a senior BJP leader. "It is evident that many legislators are unhappy with the chief minister's stand on cabinet expansion and it remains to be seen how Yeddyurappa will handle it."
The 10 MLAs met informally to discuss their next course of action. "It is unfortunate that the chief minister failed to recognise our hard work and loyalty," said Ranjan, who is believed to have taken part in the meeting.
"However, we are not planning anything that would put the government in trouble," he added Jivaraj said he was disappointed that he was not given the opportunity to work as a minister even though he was happy for C T Ravi, a fellow BJP MLA from his district.
Lucky four Yeddyurappa made it clear yesterday that he will induct Sogadu Shivanna, C T Ravi, Raju Gowda, and Varthur Prakash, into the cabinet and the new ministers are expected to take oath in the Raj Bhavan at 9.30 am tomorrow. The chief minister has decided to keep two vacancies.
MiD DAY had reported yesterday that Yeddyurappa was calling for trouble by going in for the cabinet expansion, especially since the dissent over the last one forced him to prove his majority twice.
A senior BJP leader however said Yeddyurappa was obligated to induct Varthur Prakash and Raju Gowda as he had promised them cabinet posts in exchange for their support before the vote of confidence. Although he was in favour of Jivraj, he had to bow down when K S Eswarappa, BJP state president, lobbied for C T Ravi.
Sogadu Shivanna was a natural choice, he said, as he is from the Lingayat community like Yeddyurappa.
| Last month... |
>>The last cabinet reshuffleu00a0u00a0 almost led to the toppling of the government.
>>16 legislators, including 11 BJP MLAs and five independents, joined hands with the JD(S) and withdrew support to the government.
>>The CM had to prove his majority in the house twice and the legislators were disqualified. |
