Not HD Kumaraswamy, we’ll build new Karnatakataka: Pralhad Joshi, D V Sadananda Gowda

Bengaluru: Two of Karnataka's four new central ministers who could shower their home state with the centre's largesse – Union parliamentary affairs minister Pralhad Joshi and Union minister for chemicals and fertilizers, D V Sadananda Gowda – were given a rousing welcome as soon as they arrived in Bengaluru on Saturday.

Mr Joshi was quick to promise that the state's interests would be adequately addressed in New Delhi with the setting up of an informal 'Group of Ministers (GoM)' that will follow up on pending projects. Four ministers from the state have been inducted into Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ministry. All four would meet once a fortnight and discuss issues related to Karnataka, he told the media here. "We want to protect the interest of Karnataka. That's our decision," he said, adding that the landslide victory for the BJP led by Mr Modi was a huge responsibility, "as expectations of people are very high."

Mr Joshi, who also holds the portfolio of coal and mining, said "I will assure you that supply of coal will not be disturbed. On an average, all states got coal storage for 15 days and Karnataka is no exception. I do not have much details but the state has 86 per cent coal availability."