Bengaluru: With a Cabinet expansion expected shortly, the Janata Dal (S) has begun discussing the candidates it is likely to induct into it. The party has still one berth left to fill as it has not yet fully made use of its quota of ministerial positions in the coalition government. And a second slot has fallen vacant following the resignation of Primary and Secondary Education Minister, N. Mahesh.
Going by initial indications, the party could ease Horticulture Minister, M.C. Managuli, out of the Cabinet, and induct Mr Basavaraj Horatti, another Lingayat from Mumbai Karnataka in his place. The latter could be given the primary and secondary education portfolio and the horticulture portfolio could go to Mr G.T. Deve Gowda, who is currently the Higher Education Minister. Mr G.T. Deve Gowda, who defeated former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in Chamundeshwari, seems to have fallen out of favour with Chief Minister, H.D. Kumaraswamy reportedly because he refused to take one of the former Vice Chancellors as his advisor. Mr Kumaraswamy could himself retain the higher education portfolio, according to sources.
Besides Mr Horatti, the party could induct two more candidates into the Cabinet from among MLCs and MLAs, who could help its prospects in the coming Lok Sabha polls if Mr Managuli is dropped from it, they reveal. One of the names doing the rounds is that of Mr Madhu Bangarappa, who could be inducted into the Cabinet and then nominated to the Legislative Council.
"If the party finds suitable candidates, it may fill the berths in its quota. Otherwise, it may keep the slots open for the future too," sources explain.
