Following an unsuccessful attempt to convince former Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa to agree to the Cabinet expansion, the state BJP seems to have encouraged a few MLAs to put pressure on the central leadership to press for an early expansion and reallocation of portfolios. Fed up with party leaders for not taking any decision on the Cabinet expansion, BJP loyalist MLAs have decided to write a letter to party national president Nitin Gadkari, in-charge of party affairs in Karnataka Dharmendra Pradhan, Chief Minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda, former Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa and party president K.S. Eshwarappa on the need to expand the Cabinet.
Interestingly, party MLAs who are demanding an immediate Cabinet expansion are the opponents of Mr Yeddyurappa. At present, 27 MLAs have signed the memorandum which will be sent to the party central leadership within a day or two, sources said. The memorandum will be sent to Delhi only after obtaining the signatures of 50 MLAs, sources said. If the majority of MLAs sign the memorandum, it would easy to put pressure on the party central leadership to agree to the expansion, said a party insider.
To oust or reduce the clout of ministers loyal to BSY, the loyalist MLAs are also demanding the reallocation of portfolios. Both the Chief Minister and party president K.S. Eshwarappa are not happy with a few ministers who are loyal to the former Chief Minister. “The expansion of the Cabinet is getting delayed for one reason or the other. At present, nearly 15 districts do not have representation in the DVS Cabinet. To provide social and regional justice, Cabinet expansion is necessary”, party spokesperson and Chikmagalur MLA C.T. Ravi said. “A few leaders in the party have given a wrong perception to central leaders that if the Chief Minister goes ahead with the expansion, the state government will collapse. By writing a letter to party central leaders and state leaders we will explain to them the need to expand the Cabinet.”