Eshwarappa plans to cut BSY to size

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In difficult times, even lessons from the rival camp can help. This seems to be the mantra of a group of BJP legislators who are urging their seniors to take a cue from the Opposition Congress—which had implemented the Kamaraj plan in the Sixties to get senior Congressmen quit the Union Cabinet. The group of legislators led by Chikmagalur MLA C.T. Ravi, who claim they have 49 on their side, want senior ministers in the Sadananda Gowda ministry to quit and work for the party.

This plan has the support of BJP president K.S. Eshwarappa and is intended to reduce the number of Yeddyurappa loyalists in the Cabinet, said sources. Mr Ravi while speaking to reporters, said those who were part of the earlier JD(S)-BJP set-up and the present government, should devote themselves to building the party. Interestingly Ravi is one of the top contenders for a ministerial berth.

“We have no personal agenda. This is about strengthening the BJP. Senior ministers, who have handled their portfolios well, should start preparing the party for the polls. We also have ministers who have not done a good job. The Cabinet should be expanded at the earlies,’’ the BJP MLA said. According to Mr Ravi, the MLAs were concerned about the delay in Cabinet expansion with the election just a year away. The new ministry should reflect the aspirations of different regions and communities which would help the BJP, he felt. The legislators plan to meet party chief K.S. Eshwarappa, Chief Minister Sadananda Gowda, Bengaluru South MP Ananth Kumar and former chief minister B.S. Yeddyurappa and hand over a memorandum to them.