Karnataka CM Basavaraj Bommai struggles to douse crisis as a minister threatens to quit, two air their anger

Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai is battling out his first major political challenge as three of his Cabinet colleagues are upset over the portfolios they have got, and one of them has even threatened to quit.

Tourism minister Anand Singh was hoping for a plum portfolio like water resources or energy while transport minister B Sriramulu and municipal administration minister MTB Nagaraj have openly expressed their displeasure. Singh and Nagaraj are among the 17 party-hoppers who pulled down the previous JD(S)-Congress regime and helped BS Yediyurappa form the government.

“Previous CM BSY jii and present CM Basavaraj Bommai ji have not kept their word. I am not happy with the allotted portfolio. Will take a call in this regard in 2-3 days,” Nagaraj tweeted soon after the portfolios were assigned, causing embarrassment to Karnataka BJP.

Bommai is trying his best to settle the brewing political crisis with the help of his political mentor Yediyurappa. Singh met the former chief minister on Wednesday and had detailed talks. The minister from the mining district of Vijayanagar has indicated he is unwilling to budge unless there is a change in his portfolio.

“My decision could even end my political career,” he told reporters on Wednesday, indicating his plans to even resign his assembly membership. Singh has closed his MLA office in his constituency.

The chief minister is trying to douse the fire before it is late and spreads as any kowtowing to Singh now might show him as weak and trigger similar demands from other lawmakers. Yediyurappa and Bommai have assured Singh of addressing his demands soon. It may be recalled Yediyurappa had, a few months ago, changed cabinet portfolios of some of his colleagues thrice in a space of two days.

Not that Singh was very happy under Yediyurappa. But he did not rebel like he has now as it was the former chief minister who assented creation of Vijayanagar district out of Ballary, acceding to a major demand of his.

“Anand Singh and I have been friends for three decades now. I have asked him (Anand Singh) to meet me. Everything will be fine,” the chief minister told the media. The BJP sources said Bommai might take the help of high command in case Singh did not budge.