BENGALURU: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is set to expand his cabinet on Friday to fill three vacant ministerial berths.
Siddaramaiah has succeeded in having his way in the choice of new members to his team with the likely induction of MLCs HM Revanna, RB Timmapur and first-time MLA from Gundlupet, Geetha Mahadeva Prasad. He is expected to effect a reshuffle of the portfolios.
The vacancies were created following the death of H S Mahadeva Prasad and resignation of H Y Meti and G Parameshwara. The ministry expansion is being effected without disturbing the caste equation. Mahadeva Prasad was a Lingayat, Meti belongs to Kuruba community while Parameshwara is a Dalit. Revanna, a close aide of Siddaramaiah, is a Kuruba, and Timmapur is a Dalit.
The Lingayat slot had witnessed intense competition between Tiptur MLA K Shadakshari and Geetha, wife of Prasad. However, Siddaramaiah’s long and close association with Prasad and the prodding by a powerful Lingayat mutt in Old Mysuru region ensured Geetha won the race, said sources. While Revanna is likely to get the Environment and Forests ministry, Timmapur is tipped to get the Excise portfolio earlier held by Meti. It is not clear if Geetha will get the Co-operation portfolio that was held by her husband.
The choice of Timmapur has caused ripples within the party as there is a potential threat of his disqualification as MLC in the wake of the controversy over furnishing false address before mayoral polls in Bengaluru.Friday’s swearing-in ceremony will be held at 5pm in Raj Bhavan.
Home for Rai or Reddy
The Home Department, which has been under Siddaramaiah following Parameshwara’s resignation , is expected to get a full -time minister. The names of Environment and Forests Minister Ramanath Rai and Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy are doing the rounds for the post. The CM held a meeting with the two ministers on Thursday evening. Rai , who represents Bantwal in DK district , is seen as the frontrunner as Siddaramaiah is said to be keen to entrust the ministry to a leader from the coastal region.