I am following CM's instructions: Shobha

Present at all the important public functions held across the State, she is dubbed as the de facto CM.

Shobha , 43, a native of Puttur, is the lone woman minister in the Yeddyurappa Cabinet. She says she will urge the CM to induct more women candidates in the Cabinet. On the eve of the BJP government completing one year in office, Satish Shile of Deccan Herald interacted with Shobha:

How do you assess your work in the last one year?

I am happy I could bring in a few administrative reforms. The department has bid adieu to piece contracts. We will overcome the difficulties in taking the NREGS forward and also check corruption. In the coming years, my priority will be to safeguard 33,000 tanks in the State.

It is said that you are the most powerful minister in the Yeddyurappa cabinet and you take all vital decisions at many levels. 

I am only doing the job assigned to me. Dr V S Acharya, K S Eshwarappa and many seniors are in the cabinet. I just follow their suggestions. I am too junior compared to their experience in public life. Let my detractors show one example where I have interfered in other departments work.

It is said that you enjoy proximity to the CM than any other ministers in the Cabinet. You handled the financial aspect of the LS elections. Your take?

The CM is like a father-figure for me. I don’t want to react to such comments. Those who make such remarks should seek clarifications from the CM.

The normal practice is to allow the information minister to brief media about the Cabinet meeting decisions. But how come you are doing that job?

It was the CM’s decision. I don’t know what made him to ask me to brief the Cabinet decisions to the media. I do what I have been asked to do.