BANGALORE: Karnataka Chief Minister DV Sadananda Gowda expanded his Cabinet for the second time in less than a week since forming his government on August 4, at a simple ceremony at Raj Bhavan here on Wednesday.
Those who were administered the oath of office as Cabinet Ministers are, Balachandra Jarkiholi, Anand Asnotikar, Raju Gowda, C P Yogeshwar and Varthur Prakash.
Except Varthur Prakash, who was elected as an independent legislator and had extended support to the BJP government in the crucial October 14 floor test to B S Yeddyurappa, all others are from the ruling party.
Former Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa, state BJP chief K S Eshwarappa, BJP’s national organising secretary V Satheesh, Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister Jagadish Shettar, several other ministers and MLAs were also present on the occasion.
The portfolios of the new ministers who took oath on Thursday are expected to be announced shortly.
With the induction of five new ministers, the strength of the seven-day-old government increased to 27, including the Chief Minister. Seven berths still remain vacant in the Cabinet. A large number of supporters of the new ministers cheered when their leaders were invited to take oath as ministers.
On Monday, in the first expansion, the Chief Minister had added 21 ministers to his team. The Reddys still do not figure in the Cabinet.