Bengaluru: Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa’s Cabinet was expanded on August 20, with 17 MLAs including independent MLA H Nagesh taking the oath at the Raj Bhavan in the presence of Governor Vajubhai Vala and the CM.
One noticeable fact about the new ministers is that the rebel JD(S) and Congress MLAs, whose resignation ultimately resulted in the toppling of the previous coalition government, did not feature among the new ministers.
The list of ministers to be inducted into the cabinet, which was made public prior to the ceremony, created a stir as it featured four MLAs from Bengaluru but failed to include any representatives from North Karnataka.
In addition, Congress JD(S) rebel MLAs were also skipped for the cabinet positions. The rebels have been widely credited for helping the BJP uproot the Kumaraswamy government and gain a majority within the state Assembly.
Reports, however, speculate that the rebel MLAs may be inducted into the cabinet after winning the re-election in the by-polls.
After defying their party whip, former speaker Ramesh Kumar had barred the rebel MLAs from contesting in the bypolls till the end of the 15th Legislative Assembly.
The decision was challenged by the rebels in the Supreme Court where the matter is yet to be heard.
