Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru 

Bengaluru, Dec 4: Deputy chief minister Laxman Savadi said that Karnataka chief minister B S Yediyurappa may expand the cabinet after December 5 by-polls, scheduled to take place in 15 assembly segments. 

Speaking to reporters at Athani, Savadi said that the expansion will be done after BJP’s national leadership approves the same. The CM will seek advice from the high command and will decide on who will be inducted after considering the pros and cons, he said. 

When questioned if senior BJP legislators like Umesh Katti and Basangouda Patil Yatnal will be inducted in cabinet, Savadi said there is a possibility.

It is important to note that Umesh Katti and several other senior leaders had openly asked Yediyurappa for minister posts. To ensure smooth running of the government, Yediyurappa has to keep BJP MLAs as well as the disqualified MLAs who joined BJP recently happy. 

At present, there are 18 ministers in the cabinet including the chief minister. The total sanctioned strength of the cabinet is 34 and 16 posts are vacant at present. 

According to party sources, there are high chances that the disqualified legislators who are contesting by-polls on BJP tickets will be inducted in the cabinet. They also added that sitting BJP MLCs may be asked to step down, to keep the disqualified legislators content. 

To remain in majority, BJP needs to win at least six seats in the by-polls. BJP has already fielded 13 of the 16 disqualified MLAs in their respective constituencies, as its candidates in the upcoming by-polls.