Indisposed, Karnataka CM BS Yediyurappa sparks discontent
Discontent has been brewing in the party in the state unit for two months, as Yediyurappa has been accused of neglecting party loyalists while expanding the Cabinet.
Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa is out of action for at least 15 days as he tested positive for Covid-19. The Cabinet expansion planned in August is now postponed indefinitely, intensifying unrest among aspirants and disgruntled leaders.
Discontent has been brewing in the party in the state unit for two months, as Yediyurappa has been accused of neglecting party loyalists while expanding the Cabinet. The CM wanted to appoint at least three powerful BJP leaders to the Cabinet. But now their waiting period has been extended. A section of the BJP, led by Deputy Chief Minister Laxman Savadi, was in New Delhi to bring the growing discontent among the state leaders to the notice of the party’s central leadership. There are six berths in the Council of Ministers – three loyalists and three legislators – who switched sides to join the BJP and played a crucial role in installing Yediyurappa as the CM – shortlisted to be sworn in as ministers. However, the loyalists are against inducting the three turncoat politicians into the Cabinet.
This prompted the CM to appoint 22 legislators to various boards and corporations to try and appease them. Several of them expressed dissatisfaction, contending that they were fit for ministerial jobs and not as chairman of boards and corporations. So far, three of them have not assumed charge; they feel they are too senior to handle such ‘junior’ assignments. Yediyurappa then tested positive while five senior ministers, in his close network, were in-home quarantine. The chief minister has declared he will continue to function from the hospital.
The delay in the Cabinet expansion is bound to impact the political landscape. The CM’s aides have requested the ministerial aspirants to wait for another three weeks.
(Courtesy of Mail Today)