Karnataka C.M Bommai hints at cabinet reshuffle

By our Special Correspondent

The BJP high command is taking a ‘decision’, including a reshuffle of the state cabinet, in two to three days, hinted Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, whose two-day visit to New Delhi concluded on Wednesday with over half-an-hour ‘in depth’ meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

Bommai, who had met Nadda in the national capital on April 6 and claimed to have “briefly” discussed cabinet reshuffle on Friday, hinted about discussing the matter on the sidelines of the executive meeting. The development comes amid KS Eshwarappa’s exit from the state cabinet over corruption charges and an FIR filed against him in contractor Santosh Patil’s suicide case.

On Sunday, terming Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership as a great strength for the BJP, Bommai said the party would seek a positive mandate from farmers, women and weaker sections for the good governance provided by the state government. The political impact of yesterday’s (Tuesday’s) Supreme Court order on conducting the local body polls on the reshuffle of the cabinet was also discussed. Shah listened to me and after he spoke to party national president J P Nadda, he said, ‘will take a call in 2-3 days and inform’,” Bommai told the media after meeting Shah.

"Let us march ahead under the table leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his welfare programmes. Let us march together, victory will be ours," he said. .“I made my point, while a lot of information from the party in the state too has reached the high command,” Bommai said, indicating that the ball is now in the high command’s court. Asked whether the party leadership will go for a complete overhaul of the cabinet, like it was done in Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh, Bommai hoped that the party high command will take a decision considering the political situation and the ‘administration’ in Karnataka.

Home Minister Araga Jnanendra arrived in Delhi, triggering speculation that the high command had called him to discuss several issues on changes in the government as he is an RSS loyalist. He reportedly called on Union Minister Pralhad Joshi and held discussions. The reshuffle could happen soon as Bommai is scheduled to leave for the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting on May 19, the sources added.