Karnataka: Now it’s fight for cabinet berths

The New Indian Express

Bangalore, 05 August 2011: After engaging themselves in a week-long battle for the CM’s post, the factions within the state BJP are now fighting for their pie in the Cabinet.

 

As a result, D V Sadananda Gowda, who had planned to take oath along with a few ministers, had to take oath alone on Thursday, that too in the absence of several legislators who owe allegiance to former minister Jagadish Shettar.

 

According to sources, both camps one led by former CM B S Yeddyurappa and the other by national BJP general secretary Ananth Kumar have engaged in a hard bargaining over Cabinet berths. While the Kumar camp is demanding for equal share in the Cabinet besides seeking plum portfolios like home, revenue and RDPR, the Yeddyurappa camp, which has more MLAs, is said to have offered them 14 cabinet berths while seeking to retain 20 berths for it.

Gowda who visited both Shettar and state BJP president K S Eshwrappa on Thursday is said to have made this offer while inviting them for the swearing-in ceremony.

 

The Shettar camp, on its part, rejected the offer while sticking to their demand for equal share. When Gowda did not commit on it, they decided to boycott the swearing-in ceremony.

 

After getting the feel of the Yeddyurappa camp, the rival camp is said to have adopted a new stand that the composition of the Cabinet and allocation of portfolios should be held in the presence of party national leaders.

 

They are also demanding the constitution of a core committee under one of their leaders and all important decisions, including in government, should be cleared by the committee.

 

With both the sides not willing to buckle, it appears that the mediation by the BJP national high command seems inevitable. However, Gowda expressed hope that all problems will be solved in 34 days.