Seven new ministers to be inducted into Karnataka Cabinet today
What's the story
Seven new faces are set to be inducted into the Karnataka Cabinet on Wednesday and Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa announced the list of legislators who will take oath of office today.
Currently, Yediyurappa's Cabinet has 27 members and seven berths are vacant. He said all seven vacancies will be filled, but one existing minister will be dropped to keep a slot vacant.
Here's more.
Names
List of seven new ministers sent to Raj Bhavan: Yediyurappa
CM Yediyurappa stated, "The list of seven new ministers who will take oath today has been sent to the Raj Bhavan."
"Their names are Umesh Katti, Arvind Limbavali, MTB Nagaraj, Murugesh Nirani, R Shankar, CP Yogeshwar, and S Angara," he added.
The Chief Minister also said other important things will be discussed with the BJP's central leaders who will be attending the oath-taking ceremony.
Quote
We have kept one post vacant: CM
Meanwhile, Yediyurappa also said that incumbent Excise Minister H Nagesh will be dropped from the Cabinet and he is being convinced to resign from the post. "We have kept one post vacant, and (regarding) Nagesh...I will discuss with him and try to convince," he said.
Oath-taking ceremony
BJP General Secretary Arun Singh among those attending the event
The seven new ministers were scheduled to be inducted into the Cabinet at 3:50 pm on Wednesday. Karnataka Governor, Vajubhai Vala, will be administering the oath of office and secrecy to them at the Glass House of Raj Bhavan.
Notably, the BJP's General Secretary and in-charge of the party's Karnataka unit, Arun Singh, will be attending the oath-taking ceremony, among other party leaders.
New members
Yediyurappa expanding the Cabinet for the third time
This is for the third time that CM Yediyurappa is expanding his Cabinet since he assumed charge in July 2019 after the previous Congress-Janata Dal (Secular) government collapsed when 17 MLAs of the then ruling coalition switched sides to BJP.
Notably, the new members comprise old guards and new entrants from the Congress and JD(S). Some veteran BJP leaders are also on the list.
Exclusion
MLA Munirathna's exclusion from the list comes as a surprise
A notable exclusion from the list of new faces being inducted into the Cabinet is MLA N Munirathna, who recently won the byelection to the RR Nagar Assembly Constituency.
He was among the Congress-JD(S) rebel legislators who switched over to BJP. His exclusion comes as a surprise as Yediyurappa announced Munirathna would be made a minister if elected during the November 2020 by-polls campaigning.