The Bharatiya Janata Party is likely to replace Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai ahead of the Assembly elections next year, reports said on Tuesday. Quoting sources, they said the BJP central leadership is not happy over the performance of Bommai.
According to an ANI report, a decision in this regard is likely after the Assembly polls in five states scheduled in February-March. The party’s defeat in the by-elections and local body polls, including in Bommai’s own constituency Hanagal, has left the top leadership worried about the next year’s Assembly polls. The resentment of several ministers and MLAs against the CM has also grown louder.
The ANI report said that the party is likely to choose a younger face for the CM post from the politically-influential Panchamasaali Lingayath community.
Meanwhile, even as the clamour for a cabinet expansion to fill the four vacant berths grows louder, Bommai on Monday appointed district in-charge ministers, while keeping the key Bengaluru urban district with himself.
This is the first time after the Bommai government coming to power, each district has got an in-charge Minister as earlier Ministers were assigned districts only for Covid-19 management and for flag-hoisting at headquarters on Independence Day.
There are currently 30 Ministers in the State Cabinet, including the Chief Minister, against the sanctioned strength of 34.
