Public CompanyYeddyurappa expands team; inducts rebel
In an attempt to quell the dissidence in the ruling BJP in Karnataka, chief minister B S Yeddyurappa has expanded his ministry by inducting rebel MLA M P Renukacharya into the cabinet. Renukacharya, prominent among the dissidents, who had questioned Yeddyurappa’s leadership, was administered the oath of office and secrecy by Governor H R Bharadwaj at a brief ceremony here today.
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With his induction as a cabinet minister, the strength of the ministry has risen to 34. Renukacharya, who is facing criminal charges in a sexual harassment case, said he had been inducted with the blessings of senior leaders. He said he had not been allotted any portfolio. The swearing-in ceremony of the MLA, representing Honalli in Davanagere district, was witnessed among others by ministers K S Eswarappa and Aravind Limbavali.
The induction of Renukacharya, who supported the “oust Yeddyurappa” campaign conducted by the Reddy brothers — tourism minister Janardhana Reddy and revenue minister Karunakara Reddy last month, was opposed by some. However, the chief minister has gone ahead with the new addition.
This is for the second time in two months that the Yeddyurappa ministry has been expanded under pressure from dissidents. Last month Jagadish Shettar, who had emerged as the rallying point for the rebels, was inducted in the ministry after he quit the post of assembly Speaker.