BANGALORE: Reeling under constant political turmoil since he took charge, Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda has for the first time admitted that political turbulence within the ruling BJP has cast a shadow on good policies initiated by his government.
In an interview with The Express, the Chief Minister candidly admitted that internal bickering in the BJP undermined the government’s performance.
“Probably, if there was no trouble, then the government’s good policies could have been discussed more.
Unfortunately, the developments in the party have been more talked about than our policies,” he said.
According to him, the schemes like Sakala and land grabbers act are hardly discussed in the media or by the Opposition.
“It is always the negative news that makes the headlines.
I don’t blame the media for it, but at times, one should appreciate the good work done by the government,” he opined.
On the vexed Cabinet expansion and reshuffle, the Chief Minister said he had been repeatedly seeking the permission of the party high command to take up the exercise.
“It’s practically impossible to handle all the 19 portfolios that I hold, particularly in a drought situation.
Departments like revenue, cooperation, health and family welfare among others are directly related to people’s day -to-day matters.
And all these departments need individual attention to tackle the drought more effectively,” Gowda said while expressing satisfaction with the relief work in the drought-hit areas in the state.
On the signature campaign being carried out by a section of legislators seeking to expand the Ministry, Gowda said he was aware of the development.
“This being an election year, it was natural that a few MLAs nursed the ambition to become ministers,” he said.
Asked when the Cabinet would be expanded, the Chief Minister did not give any definite time-frame and said it would be taken up at the earliest, “may be in a few weeks”.