Nirani dreams on... ‘Bommai will become central minister after completing his tenure’

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: Large and Medium Scale Industries Minister Murgesh Nirani has stoked a fresh controversy with his statement on Sunday that CM Basavaraj Bommai would become Union minister after completing his tenure in Karnataka.

This remark has come under severe criticism from none other than Vijayapura City BJP MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal, who had recently said that there is an increase in the number of people who claim to be CM aspirants. “If I am declared CM candidate, the whole of the BJP will stand by me. Nirani is wandering like a ‘madman’ dreaming of becoming CM without realising that his dream will never become a reality,’’ he added.

On Sunday, Nirani and Bommai had shared the dais at a function in which the CM had spoken in an emotional tone remarking that power is not permanent. On the same platform, the Industries minister had said that Bommai would become Central minister after he completes his tenure as CM. Even late S.R. Bommai, after serving as CM for a brief stint, went on to become Union minister. “I and Bommai are classmates in a Hubballi college. He is like an elder brother to me. I want him to scale the ladder of success”.

Meanwhile, taking Nirani to task indirectly, Revenue Minister R. Ashok said the CM post was not vacant as the incumbent,Bommai will continue till the 2023 polls. The Congress is spreading canards that Bommai would be removed soon which is false and baseless, he added.

KPCC President D.K.Shivakumar termed the emotional speech of Bommai as ‘common’, and said he too had spoken like this in the past since every one would be an ordinary worker in front of the electorate.

However, it is true that there is confusion in the public mind after RDPR Minister K.S. Eshwarappa’s statement that Bommai would be replaced by Nirani. “On Sunday, the CM spoke emotionally and Nirani has said Bommai would become Union minister. Officers are not listening to the CM. Ministers are talking about a change of guard. The administrative machinery has collapsed,’’ Shivakumar said.