Bengaluru: Dissatisfaction over allocation of portfolios to the ministers had triggered discontent in the Basavaraj Bommai cabinet; despite Chief Minister’s effort to placate disgruntled ministers, displeasure is simmering within the ruling party. 

Ministers have openly expressed their displeasure for not allotting plum portfolios. Valmiki strongmen B.Sriramalu who is eying for deputy chief minister’s post, was allotted Transport and ST welfare ministry. Mr. Sriramalu said that “he was expecting DCM post and key portfolio. But the party has not given the same, but I will abide by the party decision”, he said. 

Mr. Sriramlu reportedly demanded a Social Welfare portfolio, which he was handled in the BSY government. Chief Minister and party state leaders have spoken to the beleaguered leader and assured him that his interest will be taken care of. 

Environment Minister Anand Singh and Municipal Administration Minister M.T.B. Nagraj openly expressed their displeasure over not allotting key portfolios. Chief Minister has promised them that after discussing with party central leaders he will take a decision positively and assured of giving additional portfolios. Both MTB Nagaraj and Anand Singh met the former Chief Minister B.S.Yediyurappa requested him to set right the injustice meted to them in allotting portfolios. 

Read: Plum portfolios goes to RSS backed ministers, seniors retained old portfolios

Former minister Ramesh Jarakiholi trying hard to get in Bommai Cabinet met party central leaders and former chief minister Jagadish Shettar. He was dropped from the BSY cabinet following his alleged involvement in the CD case. Mr. Jarakiholi demanded Water Resources Portfolio to his brother Balachandra Jarakiholi. However, party central leaders did not budge their pressure tactics.  

Cabinet aspirants upset with CM 

Senior MLAs have been upset with the Chief Minister for not inducting them into the Cabinet and also ignoring their seniority in the party. Krishnaraja constituency MLA, S.A. Ramadas, Honnali MLA, M.P. Renukacharya, Bommanahalli MLA, M. Satish Reddy, Hassan MLA, Preetham Gowda, Haveri MLA, Nehru Olekar, Surpura MLA, Rajugowda, Kuduchi MLA, P. Rajiv and Hiriyur MLA, Poornima Srinivas were upset with party for not inducting them into the Cabinet. 

In which few MLAs have strongly registered their protest before the party-state leadership and the Chief Minister for ignoring their seniority and castes during Cabinet formation. 

Krishnaraja constituency MLA expressed his displeasure against the party and skipped his meeting with Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, who visited Mysuru to review the Covid situation in the district. Mr. Ramadas said he would write a letter to the Chief Minister and said that he was preoccupied program.

Read Ministers’ dissatisfaction will settle down soon, says Bommai

Mr. Satish Reddy has met the Chief Minister on Sunday, aired his displeasure for ignoring his seniority and service to the party. Party state leadership has pacified M.P. Renukacharya, and Poornima Srinivas assured that both will be inducted into Cabinet in the second round of expansion. 

Meanwhile, BJP MLC, C.P. Yogishwar, has rushed to Delhi on Monday to meet party central leaders. Mr. Yogishwar was not inducted into the Bommai cabinet, though he was a minister in the previous government. Mr. Yogishwar has been identified in ant- BSY camp and taken Delhi trips to remove him from CM post.