Karnataka CM Bommai reaches out to ministers unhappy with their portfolios

Days after Bommai carried out the Cabinet expansion, the portfolios were allotted on Saturday

Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Sunday attempted to contain disgruntlement among ministers in his Cabinet by meeting both Anand Singh and M T B Nagaraj.

Both ministers, who were unhappy with the portfolios allocated to them, appeared to have mellowed down after their meeting with the CM. Bommai told reporters that he has assured them to look into their demands in the coming days.

MLA Satish Reddy also met Bommai on Sunday after his supporters staged a protest demanding a Cabinet berth for him. Meanwhile, supporters of Madikeri MLA Appachu Ranjan will take out a 'Bengaluru Chalo' rally from Kodagu district on Tuesday.

Following his meeting with Bommai, Nagaraj — who is the Municipal Administration and Small Scale Industries minister — said the CM has promised to address his concerns. Pointing out that he was the housing minister in the Congress-JD(S) government, Nagaraj said he was demoted from an 'A' grade portfolio to a 'D' grade one.

"I want to be minister (of a department) that helps people, benefits the poor and gives a good name to government," he said, adding that he would continue to serve in the portfolio allocated to him.

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"I am not unhappy now," said Nagaraj, who is among the 'migrants' in the state Cabinet.

On whether he had any particular portfolio in mind, he cited Public Works, Energy and Tranport departments and said the CM knew which portfolio was better.

Another minister Anand Singh, who has expressed reservations over being allocated the Environment and Ecology, and Tourism portfolio, also met the CM during the day.

Bommai said that he had discussed all the concerns raised by Singh. "I told him that I understand his feelings and have assured measures," he said.

The CM also spoke to Bommanahalli MLA Satish Reddy, after members of Reddy community staged a protest on Saturday. "The CM has asked me to be patient," Reddy said, adding he was assured of a berth during Cabinet expansion in the future.

"He understands the problems of native BJP workers who feel uncertain," Reddy said amid murmurs of 'native' BJP leaders being sidelined.