Karnataka BJP unites; cabinet expansion expected next week

Bangalore, Aug 7: With the Karnataka political turmoil just subsiding, the next big agenda within the state BJP is the cabinet expansion that is expected to take place next week. After the dissenting voices within the BJP vis-a-vis the Yeddyurappa and Jagdish Shettar camp is lying low after Sadananda Gowda was elevated as the new CM of Karnataka.

A meeting was convened by Sadananda Gowda to end the strained feelings within the state BJP administration and was attended by state unit President K S Eswarappa, rebel group leader Jagadish Shettar, former Chief Minister Yeddyurappa's loyalists Dr V S Acharya and Shobha Karandlaje. They had come togeather to finalise the names who would figure in the Cabinet expansion.

Post the meeting, Eeshwarappa has been quoted as saying that a full fledged cabinet will be in place next week. He added that talks were on to appoint a Deputy CM and said that a decision on this would be made on Sunday.

Sources within the party confirmed that the swearing in of the new appointees will be held either on Monday or Wednesday. The meeting wanted to break the ice among the dissenting factions that also saw the Jagdish Shettar boycotting the swearing-in ceremony of Sadananada Gowda. The Shettar camp wanted to grab all the plump posts in the Cabinet and retain the upper hand in the decision making.

Eeshawarappa commented after the meeting, "There is no confusion in the party. There is no groupism. We are all united. There is only on group (BJP). We will resolve all issues. There is no need for High Command intervention."

OneIndia News