Karnataka ministry expansion likely next week

The Hindu PATCH UP BID: Karnataka Chief Minister Sadananda Gowda called on Mr. Jagadish Shettar(left) at his residence on Thursday morning where he was with select legislators for a breakfast meeting. Also seen are R. Ashok and Karunakar Reddy. Photo: K. Gopinathan. 

 

Signs of ending rift in the ruling BJP in Karnataka emerged on Saturday after both warring factions entered into a dialogue over formation of ministry by new Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda amid indications that a full fledged ministry would be in place in a couple of days.

At a meeting convened by Mr. Gowda to end the stalemate, 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 agreed to finalise names of those to be inducted into the ministry.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Mr. Eswarappa said “a full fledged ministry will be in place in a couple of days next week”.

He said discussions were on over creating a Deputy Chief Minister’s post, but a final decision on those to be inducted and also on the Deputy Chief Ministership would be taken tomorrow.

Party sources indicated the new ministers might be sworn-in next Monday or Wednesday.

Mr. Gowda held the meeting under the directive of the party high command, which wanted state leaders to put their heads together and resolve the ministry making crisis in the backdrop of the rebel group led by Mr. Shettar demanding major share of ministerial berths and plum portfolios.

Sources close to Mr. Shettar said the Lingayat leader from North Karnataka, who lost to Mr. Gowda in the race for Chief Minister’s post, is likely to accept the Deputy Chief Minister’s berth, in the event of the party creating the post.

“There is no confusion in the party. There is no groupism. We are all united. There is only one group (BJP). We will resolve all issues. There is no need for High Command intervention”, Mr. Eswarappa said after the meeting at “Anugraha”, the Chief Minister’s official residence.