Bengaluru: The much-awaited Cabinet expansion exercise is on the card, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai going to Delhi to meet party top brasses for reshuffle/expansion of his cabinet.

Mr. Bommai will discuss with party President J.P. Nadda, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and other party functionaries regarding the expansion of the Cabinet.

At present, Bommai has four slots vacant in his cabinet, but a dozen aspirants are eying on the ministerial berth. Sources privy to the Chief Minister said that Chief Minister has likely to drop 6 ineffective and senior ministers and induct total ten ministers into the Cabinet.

Party central leadership has decided to give chance to young faces in the Cabinet. Since only a year left for the Assembly elections, the BJP central leadership told the Chief Minister to induct young faces who have strong Hindutva background.

Party has made up its mind to induct Ramesh Jarakiholi and C.P. Yogishwar into the cabinet. Mr. Jarakiholi was made to resign the Cabinet following his alleged involvement in sex CD scam. 

Mr. Yogishwar trying hard to get a berth in the Bommai cabinet. He had made several trips to Delhi, and met party top brasses on this regard. 

Saffron party has already raised core Hindutva issues of Hijab, Halal, Azaam and Ban on Muslim traders during temples fairs. RSS, Bajarang Dal, Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Sri Rama Sene have started campaigning on these issues urging the Bommai government to intervene in the matter. Even BJP leaders and ministers have been giving statements in support of pro-Hindu organizations.

To take all these campaigns to further before the elections, the party wanted to young and hardcore Hindutva faces in the Cabinet, sources said.

Along with the political trip to Delhi, the Chief Minister will meet Union Ministers regarding pending and ongoing projects of the state.

“I will meet the Water Resources Minister. There are pending issues in Mekedatu, Mahadayi, Krishna rivers and other projects. So, I will discuss all those projects and try to get approvals as soon as possible”, Mr. Bommai said before leaving for Delhi.