Bracing for Elections in Karnataka
Also inducted into the cabinet are Rajeev Chandrasekhar, BJP’s Rajya Sabha MP from Bengaluru who was in-charge of Puducherry elections.
Chandrasekhar, who is originally from Kerala, has been remaining neutral during the power struggles within Karnataka’s BJP circles. “He is very close to the high command. It is not because of recommendations from the state unit that he has got a cabinet berth,” a source said.
Does this mean that Yediyurappa’s say does not matter anymore to the Centre?
“No strong leader from the Yediyurappa camp were inducted into the cabinet. It sends out a clear message,” a BJP source said. However, the BJP which is expected to face Legislative Assembly polls in Karnataka in 2023, has done its best to appease its Lingayat vote base.
Bhagwanth Khuba, a Lingayat, was inducted into the cabinet. He is MP from Bidar. Khuba is a Banajiga Lingayat, like Yediyurappa. “The BJP is still not ready to appease other communities from among the…