Wary Siddu keeps senior ministers' portfolios intact

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who allocated portfolios to 13 of his new ministers on
Tuesday, has avoided changing portfolios of senior ministers, obviously fearing rebellion.

While forming a new team, Siddaramaiah took some bold decisions like removing senior leaders like V Srinivas Prasad and actor-turned-politician M H Ambareesh. But he did not show the same zeal in allocating portfolios.

Sources in the Congress said Siddaramaiah decided not to invite more trouble by taking away portfolios of his senior colleagues. The only minister, among those who continued after the reshuffle, to get a new portfolio is U T Khader. In place of Dinesh Gundu Rao, Khader has been made Food and Civil Supplies Minister. Khader was earlier health minister.

6 portfolios remain with CM
Besides, the chief minister has kept six key portfolios to himself. Housing and Information and Public Relations departments, which were hitherto held by Ambareesh and R Roshan Baig respectively, are now with the chief minister. Finance, DPAR, Intelligence Wing of Home department and Cabinet Affairs are other portfolios that are with the chief minister.

In all probability, Siddaramaiah would be shedding a couple of portfolios when he fills the lone ministerial berth.

The Tourism portfolio held by R V Deshpande has been given to Priyank Kharge over and above IT and BT department. Deshpande, in turn, has been given Infrastructure Development department.

Portfolios of other ministers have remained unchanged.