Bengaluru: After much speculations, the Congress finally completed induction of its quota of ministers in the Karnataka Cabinet. But its partner in government has kept two ministerial berths vacant.
Though JD(S) had kept only one position vacant out of its quota of 12 seats in the assembly, another slot opened up, after BSP MLA N Mahesh quit as the primary and secondary education minister on October 11.
Even though the party has not decided on the ministerial candidates, the names of Sakleshpur MLA H K Kumaraswamy and MLC B M Farooq have been doing rounds. Some party sources indicate that there will not be any new minister in the cabinet until the end of inauspicious ‘Dhanur Masa/Shoonya Masa.’
Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy is playing his cards safe as the threat of dissidence is looming in the Congress and the BJP is ready to poach the dissatisfied MLAs. By keeping two seats empty, the CM may then accommodate MLAs who might threaten to cross over to the BJP.
If a need arises the party might also drop Horticulture Minister M C Managuli (Sindagi) to accommodate one more rebel, it is said.
