No minister upset, reports of dissent in Cabinet false: Bommai

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Tuesday asserted that there is no discontent among his cabinet colleagues following the reshuffling of district in-charge ministers on Monday.

Mr Bommai had reshuffled district ministers divesting two prominent ministers, R. Ashok and J.C. Madhuswamy of their responsibilities, which had triggered rumours that there is discontent brewing among his cabinet colleagues.

Mr Bommai’s statement assumes significance as a few ministers had stopped short of openly expressing their displeasure over not being assigned their home districts while BJP senior leader, Basangouda Patil Yatnal openly claimed that there is discontent brewing among party leaders.

Mr Bommai told reporters that he had spoken to everyone (Ministers) before appointing them as district in-charge ministers. “It is our party’s national policy that ministers should be made in-charge of other districts, hence, the reshuffle was done in accordance with the party’s policy,” he said adding, “We are all together and have decided to work for the people.”

Indirectly expressing his displeasure, Mr Madhuswamy told reporters that he would have been happy if he was made in-charge of Tumakuru, his home district. “It is the party’s decision that home districts should not be allocated to any minister. But I am not in a position to work in any other district which I am not familiar with. Therefore, I chose to stay away,” he said.

Another Minister MTB Nagaraj, who was made incharge of Chikkaballapura district said, as he represents a constituency that comes under Bengaluru Rural district, it would have been better if he was made in-charge there.