K'taka CM to reshufle his Cabinet on Aug 25
Bangalore, Aug 23 (UNI) Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa will reshuffle his Cabinet on August 25 to accommodate newly joined leaders from opposition parties, BJP State President D V Sadananda Gowda said today.
Talking to newsmen here, he said that a couple of party ministers may be dropped and newly joined would be accommodated.
Replying to a question, Mr Gowda said that Minister for Horticulture S K Bellubbi has agreed to step down as requested by the Chief Minister for strengthening the party despite there were protests in Bijapur District by his followers. "Mr Bellubbi will be submitting his resignation letter to the Chief Minister tomorrow and Cabinet reshuffle may take place before his (Mr Yeddyurappa) departure to USA.
Mr Gowda said that the 'Operation Lotus' will be stopped after 10 legislators join the party. So far 7 legislators from opposition parties including four from Janata Dal (secular) and three from congress have joined the BJP. Former Minister C Chanigappa and staunch follower of JD(S) President H D Deve Gowda, has already expressed his intention to join BJP and three more legislators are likely to announce their decision with in a day or two.
However, he declined to reveal the names of legislators joining the party. "I cannot reveal the names, when they join you will come to know." Former Minister Umesh Katti, who recently joined quitting Assembly seat, may be included in the cabinet.
Meanwhile
Former
Minister
and
BJP
leader
G
T
Deve
Gowda,
in
a
statement
in
Mysore
has
welcomed
senior
Congress
leader
and
former
Deputy
Chief
Minister
Sidharamaiah
to
join
BJP
if
the
latter
is
willing
to
join
the
party.
"BJP
was
never
against
Siddaramaiah
joining
the
party.
Since
he
(Mr
Siddaramaiah)
is
in
dilemma
in
Congress
he
is
welcome
to
join
BJP."
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MSP
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