The cracks in the ruling BJP were more than glaring at the two-day Global Investors Meet which concluded on Friday as most of the ministers in the D V Sadananda Gowda Cabinet stayed away from the state government’s prestigious event.
Barring Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda, Industries Minister Murugesh Nirani, Minister for Small Scale Industries Raju Gowda and three other ministers, no other minister turned up for the event.
This is in sharp contrast to the 2010 GIM where the entire Cabinet was present under the leadership of former chief minister B S Yeddyurappa.
What was more glaring was the disappearing act of Energy Minister Shobha Karandlaje.
Despite the energy sector getting major share of investment proposals that were signed during the second edition of the GIM, Karandlaje did not turn up to the event though she was very much in the city.
Of the 7. 6 lakh crore investment proposals, the share of energy sector is whopping 32 per cent.
Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Suresh Kumar also kept himself away from the event though he is considered to be close to the Chief Minister.
Sources in the BJP maintain that it was the result of lack of interest evinced by Yeddyurappa.
However, Nirani, sought to downplay the non-cooperation of his Cabinet colleagues, stating that many ministers were busy in Council election campaigns.
“Everybody has sent their wishes for the success of the event.
I don’t think the presence of every minister is necessary.
We had invited them only for the inaugural session,” he added.