CM Basavaraj Bommai inducts 29 ministers into Karnataka Cabinet; no deputies

Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai inducted 29 members into his Cabinet on Wednesday, exactly a week after he took charge, a process that required him to spend much time in New Delhi. They will get portfolios in a day or two.

The 29-member Cabinet is replete with political compulsions.

Much was discussed on how Bommai’s Cabinet might follow Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s template by showing senior ministers the door. But, of the 29, only six are new faces and the remaining 23 were ministers in the previous B S Yediyurappa government, making some argue that the Cabinet has Yediyurappa’s stamp on it.

However, an attempt has been made to give Bommai a free hand by not giving him any deputies, which was the BJP’s central leadership’s call.

Arguably, only seven ministers are original BJP members with an RSS background -- K S Eshwarappa, Araga Jnanendra, S Angara, V Sunil Kumar, R Ashoka, B C Nagesh and Kota Srinivas Poojary.

Also read: Protests, heartburn follow new Cabinet of Basavaraj Bommai

The rest are not seen as products of the core saffron ideology, including Bommai himself.

Ten ministers are “migrants” who defected from the Congress-JD(S) coalition, including Rajarajeshwarinagar MLA Munirathna, who was waiting for his turn.

Two “migrants” R Shankar and Shrimant Patil, ministers previously, are out. Politically, there was a need for the BJP to retain the turncoats as ministers to inspire confidence among those looking to join the party in the future.

There are eight Lingayats, seven Vokkaligas and seven OBCs -- electorally significant communities -- in the Cabinet. Regional disparity is stark as 13 districts, including Mysuru and some north Karnataka regions, have no representation.

“This Cabinet has a mix of experience and new energy,” Bommai said.

“It has been formed to provide good governance and face the challenge of upcoming elections.”

Asked about inducting Shashikala Jolle, who faces corruption charges, he said: “I have sought details. But, they are just accusations. There is not even a formal complaint. Still, I will examine it.”

Some seniors who were ministers in the previous government, including Jagdish Shettar (he opted out), S Suresh Kumar and Arvind Limbavali, are likely to get organisational roles ahead of the 2023 Assembly elections.

“This is a semi-final Cabinet,” a senior BJP leader opined.

“There may be a minor reshuffle later in which more ‘old guard’ leaders will be replaced. It was not done now due to the risk of those like R Ashoka and V Somanna aligning with Yediyurappa to create trouble,” he explained.

Notably, Yediyurappa’s critics Basanagouda Patil Yatnal, Arvind Bellad and C P Yogeshwar did not make it.

Bommai has four vacant Cabinet positions, which he can dangle to keep disgruntlement in check.

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