Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Nov 26: There are strong indications that the long-awaited ministry expansion might happen shortly. This indication was given by chief minister B S Yediyurappa himself. However, this has also led to the floating of various rumours.

Sources close to the chief minister said that the chief minister, like the way he made sudden appointments to boards and corporations, is likely to expand the ministry with the inclusion of MTB Nagaraj, R Shankar and Munirathna.

The chief minister, who took part in a programme at Kollegal in Chamarajanagar district on Wednesday, gave wind of his idea to expand his ministry in one or two days. This has given rise to tizzy within the BJP. A number of baseless rumours are now doing the rounds. Sources say that Yediyurappa, by including the three ministers, wants to give a clear message that he wants to fulfil his promises at any cost.

During the last three months, Yediyurappa has approached national leaders twice, seeking their nod for ministry expansion, but for both the initiatives the response was lukewarm. Immediately after the bypoll results were published, he had given vent to his desire to expand the cabinet. As a number of people who crossed over from other parties want their share of the cake, there has been a tussle for power between the newcomers and party loyalists for getting accommodated in the ministry.