Mysuru: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced on Monday that there would be a cabinet reshuffle by the month- end and some ministers would be dropped.
“We are just waiting for some rain in all places before we take up the reshuffle. It will be done by the month end,” he told reporters at the Mysuru airport on arrival to participate in various programmes in the city over the next two days. Asked for details, he said, “A reshuffle of the Cabinet doesn’t just mean interchanging of portfolios among the existing ministers. Some will be dropped, some new faces will be added. Giving opportunity to new faces is our biggest priority this time. It has been three years now and there are other aspirants who need to be given an opportunity.” It had , however, been decided to give a three month extension to members of boards and corporations, he revealed. Asked about his three years in his office, he said he could not have done more. "My three years of governance have brought me complete satisfaction. There has not been any serious allegation or scam during our tenure. Some allegations were made by a few only for political gain. We have walked our talk and given a pro- people and transparent administration. We have fulfilled most of our promises and even taken up programmes not mentioned in the manifestos. We have two more budgets to go and will definitely fulfil the rest of the promises made,” he declared. To a query on celebrations to mark the completion of his government’s three years in office, he said a booklet on his government's achievements would be released at a Jana Mana programme on May 13 in Bengaluru . It would also be released in the districts.
Mr Siddaramaiah said he intended to hold a meeting with MPs and Union ministers from the state on May 11 to discuss issues to be raised in parliament and also take their advice and suggestions on various matters. About his meeting with Prime Minsiter Narendra Modi on the drought, he said, the latter had promised to give Rs 723 crore as relief, but the state had urged the Centre to give Rs 12,272 crore as additional grant to solve the drinking water crisis, to fill lakes and provide permanent water supply under multi village water schemes and other programmes.
As for the Mahadayi dispute, he said the state had written to Prime Minister Modi to intervene and help resolve the issue out of court , but had not received a positive response yet.
‘BJP tarnishing cong image’
On allegations by Defence Minister, Manohar Parikkar that some Congressmen from the state were involved in the Agusta helicopter scam, he said, “I do not know. He should name them. He cannot do a hit and run job. BJP leaders are making this an exercise to tarnish the image of Congress leaders.”
