Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa on Sunday said that the new Cabinet will be formed after August 16. Speaking to the media at Sambra Airport in Belagavi on Sunday, Yediyurappa said that he would have to discuss the issue with the high command in New Delhi before the list of ministers are announced.
“I will be going to Delhi to discuss the flood situation and also to ask for financial assistance on August 16. I will be meeting Amit Shah then and will also discuss the cabinet expansion issue. Right now, the priority is to provide relief to flood affected victims,” Yediyurappa said.
The Chief Minister also stated that the party leaders in Karnataka had informed the high command of the shortlisted candidates for the ministerial posts. Yediyurappa can induct a minimum of 15 and a maximum of 33 ministers in the state cabinet, excluding the post of Deputy Chief Minister.
When asked whether the state will have a Deputy Chief Minister, Yediyurappa told TNIE, “In the next few days, you will get complete details about my cabinet. All the castes and regions will be taken into consideration and will be given an equal share in the cabinet.”
On Saturday, ahead of Amit Shah’s visit to conduct an aerial survey of flood-affected areas, Yediyurappa had told the media that a decision on the cabinet expansion would take place on Sunday. However, the expansion has been pushed to a later date in the wake of the floods.
“Amit Shah has asked us to focus on relief and rehabilitation of flood victims until my meeting with him on August 16. Till then, he has asked me to visit all flood affected areas and take stock of the situation,” Yediyurappa added.
Criticising Yediyurappa for delaying the expansion of the cabinet, former CM and Leader of Opposition in the Karnataka Assembly, Siddaramaiah said that Yediyurappa cannot handle the flood crisis alone and needs to immediately expand the cabinet.
“Mr. Yediyurappa cannot tackle the current crisis through a solo act, nor he is able to. He should immediately expand his Cabinet and 20 Ministers should be appointed as district in-charge Ministers for the flood-affected districts. This will hasten flood-related welfare programmes. The welfare works are not going on in an expected manner as there are no district in-charge Ministers,” The Hindu quoted him as saying.