By Firoz.T.Totanawala
The Bangalore Metro Reporter
THE EXPANSION BLUES!
CABINET EXPANSION A CUMBERSOME TASK FOR CM
Finally, the Chief Minister D.V.Sadananda Gowda has talked of a cabinet expansion in a few days. It is six months since Sadananda became the CM and he was not able to expand the cabinet for political reasons. Now that the CM is talking of cabinet expansion, there is going to be more trouble for him, mainly from former CM B.S.Yeddyurappa whose attempts at reclaiming the CM post has not borne fruits yet. Yedurappa may demand more berths to his loyalists and anti-Yedurappa lobby will not lag behind with similar demand with elections just about a year ahead, Sadananda or BJP cannot afford any more trouble. But the hard fact is that it cannot wish it away …
The Chief Minister D.V.Sadananda Gowda, the other day stated that he is not in a position to do justice to the 16 portfolios he holds and that he will soon expand the cabinet to lessen the burden on him. It is almost certain that Sadananda will expand the cabinet soon as the budget session has to begin in March. Sadananda has to present the budget and the unexpected death of V.S.Acharya who was instrumental in preparing the budgets in the last three years has taken its toll on him.
The moment Sadananda announced the expansion of the cabinet; aspirants for berth have started their lobby in a big way. They know that it is now or never for them as the state will go to polls next year and there are remote chances of BJP coming back to power. The aspirants are therefore making desperate attempts to get to the cabinet and this is creating serious problems to Sadananda and BJP.
Of course, there were only six vacancies for the last six months not filled due to political reasons. In the present cabinet there are equal numbers of pro-Yedurappa and Anti-Yedurappa groups. And the porn gate has created three more vacancies of which the two 'resigned' ministers are Yedurappa loyalists. The death of V.S.Acharya has created one more vacancy taking the number of vacancies to ten. Sadananda has to fill the vacancies and there are more than 30 aspirants.
Surely, Yedurappa will demand the lion's share of the vacancies and at the same time the anti-Yedurappa group will also demand more share. Yedurappa, who is making no-holds barred attempts to reclaim the CM post, is waiting for more than six months and the High Command is only promising him a suitable post.
In the recent past Yedurappa is getting snubs at the hands of the High Command and leaders especially L.K.Advani who is not prepared to talk to him. Yedurappa knows that his rehabilitation is a remote possibility and must plan a strategy accordingly.
By all indications, Yedurappa may demand at least six berths to his loyalists and one can be sure of the party high command rejecting the demand. It can at best offer three berths and this will be enough for Yedurappa to prepare the ground. Then, it will be the real test for Sadananda and BJP. It is another matter that Yedurappa will oppose more berths for his detractors.
As on now, the cabinet expansion is a risky one and Sadananda has to take the risk if he wants to provide good administration to the state particularly so when the elections are hardly a year from now. At the same time, Sadananda cannot afford to lose the government while Yedurappa is bent of getting his pound of flesh and in default, would not mind pulling down the government. Sadananda has to tread carefully.
Of course, the cabinet expansion instead of solving the problems will confound the same. It all depends on the collective wisdom of the BJP leaders in neutralising Yedurappa factor; otherwise, it is more troubles for Sadananda.
That is all.
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