Team Mangalorean - Bangalore
from Shweta Somaya

Bangalore: In the recent state-level core committee meeting of the BJP, there were complaints that after D V Sadananda Gowda quit as chief minister, his supporters were not given important portfolios when Jagadish Shettar formed his cabinet.

Now there are indications that those imbalances would be sorted out soon. Speaking to mediapersons at the party's state office at Malleswaram on Wednesday, August 8, revenue minister, deputy chief minister and state party president K S Eshwarappa said that the state cabinet would be reshuffled in a week's time.

Significant announcements were made by him and the other DCM and home minister R Ashoka that both were prepared to give up their portfolios to give a free hand to CM Shettar to reallocate the portfolios.

Interestingly, the announcement did not come from the man who would have to do the reshuffling, chief minister Jagadish Shettar.

Central party functionary in charge of the state Dharmendra Pradhan, during his recent visit to Bangalore had held talks with the CM and other leaders and they are said to have discussed the reallocation of the portfolios. The final decision has been left to the high command.

There are rumours that former CM Yeddyurappa has been lobbying for energy minister Shobha Karandlaje to be made home minister, a portfolio held by another member of her community, R Ashoka.

In the meantime, speaking to mediapersons at suburban Ramanagara on Wednesday, excise minister M P Renukacharya said that he was prepared to take up any portfolio allotted to him.