Chief Minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda and state president K.S. Eshwarappa, heading for the two-day BJP national executive commencing in Mumbai on May 24, are putting the finishing touches to their Cabinet in the making, an announcement to the effect is expected after the June 11 Legislative Council elections, even as the revolt by former chief minister B.S. Yeddyurappa seems to be dissipating.
Sources in the ruling party said the outbursts of the beleaguered leader against the party leadership and hurdles posed by him and his supporters towards cabinet expansion would be discussed in Mumbai.
Sources also told Deccan Chronicle that Mr Sadananda Gowda who had already won the backing of the top brass for a cabinet expansion is expected to announce the cabinet by June 15. The beleaguered former chief minister, largely isolated as party president Nitin Gadkari and senior leader Arun Jaitley may no longer back him, is skipping the national executive due to “personal reasons”.
All praise for Mr Nitin Gadkari, saying “he has done a wonderful job,” Mr Yeddyurappa may have to face up to a significant shifting of loyalties, with two ministers in his camp indicating they are not keen to pursue the path of confrontation against Mr Sadananda Gowda. Housing minister V. Somanna said on Wednesday that both Mr Yeddyurappa and Mr Sadananda Gowda were his leaders and that he works under the Chief Minister with whom he has no animosity. On Sunday, industries minister Murugesh Nirani said that he wold respect party state unit president, K.S. Eshwarappa, chief minster, D.V. Sadananda Gowda as much as Mr Yeddyurappa.