The BJP in Karnataka has appointed three deputy chief ministers—Govind Karajol (Dalit), Laxman Savadi (Lingayat) and Dr C.N. Ashwathnarayan (Vokkaliga)—to expand its vote base and to keep its traditional supporters in good humour, even as Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa on Monday allocated portfolios to 17 newly appointed ministers.
Surprisingly, senior leaders including former chief minister Jagadish Shettar (Lingayat) and former deputy chief ministers—K.S. Eshwarappa (Kuruba) and R. Ashok (Vokkaliga)—have been overlooked for the deputy CM posts. Valmiki strongman B. Sriramulu, who was projected as the deputy chief minister candidate ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, was also sidelined.
The appointment of three deputies is in line with the BJP strategy to give equal representation to all communities and to end dynasty rule and political dominance of certain caste groups.
The saffron party, which has a stranglehold in north Karnataka region—the Lingayat heartland—is now hoping to make inroads into south Karnataka, where the Congress and the JD(S) still hold sway.
Ashwathnarayan, a first-time minister, is likely to play an active role in consolidating the Vokkaliga vote in Bengaluru city, while veteran leader R. Ashok from the same community will be leading the efforts to woo the Vokkaligas in the Mysuru and Mandya regions.
The choice of Savadi as one of the DCMs has upset the senior Lingayat leaders from the region, even as the party high command is hoping for a smooth power transfer from Lingayat strongman Yediyurappa to second generation leaders.
Appointment of Karajol, a veteran dalit leader from the marginalised community, is a step towards ensuring social justice as the community has been strongly backing the BJP for many years.
Yediyurappa has retained important portfolios like intelligence, Bengaluru development, finance, water resources, cooperation, power, agriculture, horticulture, sugar, medical education, sports and youth affairs. He is likely to part with some of these portfolios if and when the cabinet is expanded to accommodate the disqualified rebel MLAs.
Basavaraj Bommai has been given the crucial home department (excluding intelligence) while R. Ashok will handle revenue (excluding Muzrai). The portfolio allocation is as follows: Karajol (PWD and social welfare), Ashwathnarayan (higher education, IT, BT, science and technology), Savadi (transport), Eshwarappa (rural development and panchayati raj), Shettar (large and medium scale industries excluding sugar), Sriramulu (health and family welfare excluding medical education), Suresh Kumar (primary and secondary education and Sakala), V. Somanna (housing), C.T. Ravi (Tourism, Kannada and culture), Kota Srinivas Poojary (Muzrai, ports, fisheries, inland transport), J.C. Madhuswamy (law, parliamentary affairs and legislation, minor irrigation), C.C. Patil (mines and geology), H. Nagesh (excise), Prabhu Chauhan (animal husbandry) and Shashikala Jolle (women and child development, empowerment of differently abled and senior citizens).
