Yediyurappa's son Vijayendra dropped out of new cabinet

Bengaluru: Following the new cabinet expansion, 29 ministers have been inducted into Karnataka's cabinet this afternoon. Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot administered the oath of office and secrecy to the new ministers at the Raj Bhavan. However, Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa's younger son and state BJP Vice President BY Vijayendra did not make it into the cabinet.

"The list containing the names of new Ministers will be officially released by the Raj Bhavan as per the formality," the Chief Minister said.

"Held detailed discussions with high command in Delhi regarding the cabinet expansion, after the final round of discussion last night, this morning the list was finalised," Bommai said. "There is no question of anyone's pressure. It is done after comprehensive thinking," he added.

Ahead of the oath-taking ceremony, Bommai informed the media that there would be no Deputy Chief Ministers this time. He said, "A total of 29 Ministers will take the oath, and in the previous cabinet led by BS Yediyurappa there were three Deputy CMs, but this time there will be none as per the high command's directions."

Regarding representation in the cabinet, he said, "The cabinet will be a mixture of both experienced and new strength." The cabinet has 7 OBCs, 3 SCs, 1 ST, 7 Vokkaligas, 8 Lingayats, 1 Reddy, 1 woman and 2 Brahmins.

Regarding Vijayendra being left out of the cabinet, Bommai said that the national president spoke to Yediyurappa and the national General Secretary in charge of Karnataka Arun Singh spoke to Vijayendra. "I can only say, Vijayendra's name is not there in the list today," he said. He added that the new cabinet would work according to the needs of the people, earn their trust, and give good governance.

The Karnataka cabinet could have a strength of up to 34. About vacant ministerial berths, Bommai said that the cabinet is usually expanded in stages and regions which haven't received representation will be given positions the next time. When asked about some leaders from the previous cabinet being dropped, Bommai said the high command has decided to rope in some senior leaders with organisational experience for the party organisational work.