Shobha's cabinet re-entry path cleared

Power minister ready to quit; Yeddy's weakened opponents may no longer be able to keep his friend out

Power minister ready to quit; Yeddy's weakened opponents may no longer be able to keep his friend out

Chief Minister Yeddyurappa has finally solved one problem he's got a post for his long-time friend Shobha Karandlaje in the Cabinet.

Power minister K S Eswarappa has agreed to resign from his post in exchange for being made the state BJP president for the second time.

Eswarappa will replace D V Sadananda Gowda.

Shobha Karandlajeu00a0is a friend of CM B S Yeddyurappa. She had quit the cabinet last year.

When the decision was almost finalised, the coordination committee met yesterday evening to discuss the issue. Fortunately to Yeddyurappa, there was not much opposition for the particular decision.

"It is like killing two birds with one stone," said a BJP leader, who attended the coordination committee meeting.
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"He has silenced Eswarappa, who is one of the frontline dissidents by making him party president and paved the way for Shobha's re-entry."

While Renukacharya, who had expressed his dissatisfaction with Shobha, is happily settled as a cabinet minister, the Reddy brothers, who spearheaded the rebellion a couple of months ago, are quiet because of their own problems.

Now, with Eswarappa moving to the top post and agreeing to not speak against Yeddyurappa, Shobha's path has smoothened.

Eswarappa is seemingly happy with the new scheme of things. He had been criticized heavily for being unable
to ensure uninterrupted power supply.

The new post is a great respite for him. "Not that I was aspiring for the post, but it is a great opportunity for us to build the party when it is ruling in the state," said Eswarappa.

"I hope the power situation will improve under the able leadership of Yeddyurappa." He said Shobha's re-entry was the CM's prerogative and he had no complaints.

Eswarappa is expected to resign on January 28. However, Shobha will have to wait for the civic polls to
be over before she can be inducted.

Yeddyurappa is expected to vacate some more seats in the Cabinet to please some more dissidents and strengthen Shobha's chances. Shobha offered no comments.