Team News Riveting
Bengaluru, July 29
B S Yediyurappa has finally quit and handed over the baton to his trusted aide Basavaraj Bommai. But what would be the political fate of his sons, Raghavendra and Vijayendra?
Bommai was sworn in as the new Chief Minister of Karnataka on Wednesday. The political circle in Karnataka was abuzz with the rumour that Yediyurappa quit the post only after negotiating that his sons would be accommodated in the state Cabinet and in a senior position of the organisation. But the senior BJP leaders familiar with the Karnataka happenings have refuted any such development.
According to the leaders, no such assurance had been given by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP National President JP Nadda. Even there was no move to consider making him Governor.
However, to keep his presence felt in the party and the state, the four-time Chief Minister would be touring the state from the first week of August. However, it was not clear whether it would be under the banner of the BJP. Yediyurappa’s close aides said he would continue to strengthen the party in the state; a move that would secure a safe political space for his sons.
His younger son Vijayendra is one of the Vice Presidents of BJP Karnataka unit. While discussions on the Cabinet are still ongoing, Vijayendra is unlikely to get a berth. He is expected to contest the 2023 elections to make his debut in the state Assembly for which his father has started the preparations.
The new Chief Minister is expected to leave for Delhi to discuss the Cabinet expansion. According to BJP insiders, several old-timers including Jagadish Shettar, Eshwarappa are not likely to be in the Cabinet while close to eight new faces including legislators Sunil Kumar, Munirathna, Aravind Bellad are likely to be included in the Cabinet.
