BENGALURU: KPCC president G Parameshwara’s insistence on getting the Home ministry has paid off, but his wish to get another plum portfolio did not come true.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday paid heed to Parameshwara’s demand and made him Home minister, replacing K J George, who has been made Minister of Bengaluru Development.
Parameshwara, who had suffered a setback when he was denied the deputy chief minister’s post, was particular about the portfolio as the Home minister in any cabinet is generally seen as next to the chief minister in rank. He was also keen on getting Bengaluru Development and fought for it till Friday evening. However, Siddaramaiah preferred incumbent Home Minister K J George for the ministry. But, it is still seen as a clear demotion for George.
The chief minister had promised to appoint a minister exclusively for the development of the IT city during the recent elections to the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP). George’s new portfolio covers all key agencies.
George’s new portfolio covers all key agencies like Bengaluru Development Authority (BDA), Bengaluru Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) and BBMP or will it just cover the Bengaluru Metropolitan Area Development Authority sans these agencies.
The other three ministers who had taken oath on Thursday have also been allocated portfolios. While Manohar Tahsildar has been made Excise and Endowment minister, A Manju got Animal Husbandry and Sericulture. Vinay Kulkarni has got the Mines and Geology Ministry. While Excise and Mines and Geology were with the CM, his trusted man - Law Minister T B Jayachandra - had the additional charge of Animal Husbandry.
Jayachandra has been given the Higher Education ministry as an additional charge. The portfolio was with the chief minister after R V Deshpande was made the Industries minister two months ago. However, an official notification on the allocation of portfolios was not issued by the Raj Bhavan till late on Friday night.
Earlier in the day, there were hectic parleys between the camps of the chief minister and Parameshwara as the latter was firm on his demand for two portfolios. It is learnt that the party bosses in Delhi had to intervene and sort out the things.
NEW PORTFOLIOS
G Parameswhara
Home (held by K J George)
K J George
Bengaluru Development (new portfolio)
Manohar Tahsildar Excise (held by CM), Muzarai
A Manju
Animal Husbandry and Sericulture (held T B Jayachandra)
Vinay Kulkarni
Mines and Geology (held by the CM)
T B Jayachandra
The Law minister gets additional charge of Higher Education (held by the CM)