Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Sep 1: After days of speculation on who would be given the coveted home affairs portfolio, with Dakshina Kannada district in-charge minister Ramanath Rai being the chief contender, the state government on Friday September 1 decided to appoint Ramalinga Reddy as the home minister of Karnataka.

Reddy will hand over his present transport ministry to H M Revanna, who has been newly inducted into the cabinet.

The post of home minister was lying vacant ever since KPCC president resigned so as to focus on the Congress party in view of the Assembly elections next year.

On Friday, the chief minister inducted three new legislators - H M Revanna, R B Thimarpur and Geetha Mahadeva Prasad into the cabinet. They took oath at the Raj Bhavan.

Also, Thimmapur has been given the excise portfolio, while Geetha Mahavdeva Prasad has been appointed minister for sugar and small industries.

Labour minister Santosh Lad has been given the additional charge of skill development deparment.

Ramesh Jakhiholi will handle the cooperative portfolio.

Also, four ministers, namely Pramod Madhwaraj, Priyank Kharge, Eshwar Khandre and Rudrappa Lamani have been elevated to the cabinet rank.

It is speculated that the cabinet expansion has not gone down well with some of the Congress leaders. KPCC chief Dr Parameshwara's absence at the swearing-in ceremony of the three new ministers has raised quite a few eyebrows.

Forest minister Ramanath Rai from Dakshina Kannada was earlier said to be strong contender for the home ministry. There were reports that the Congress high command had wanted him to take up the post, and he had reluctantly agreeed. There was much opposition to the idea, chiefly from BJP, and lately, even from former Congress MLA Vijay Kumar Shetty who minced no words in terming Rai a 'rowdy'.