As the dust over portfolio allocation seems to be settling down, those who did not make it to the Cabinet have been exerting pressure for a second expansion for them to join in.
Though Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa is also reportedly keen on this, the party central leadership has ruled out any Cabinet expansion for the time being until the case of disqualification of rebel MLAs — pending before the Supreme Court — is settled.
“The next round of Cabinet expansion will happen only when the rebel’s case in the Supreme Court is settled,” said a senior BJP leader.
Mr. Yediyurappa, however, is reportedly keen on inducting seven-time MLA Umesh Katti and three-time MLA Arvind Limbavali, both his close associates and former Ministers, into the Cabinet in an expansion soon, sources close to the Chief Minister said. However, this has been turned down by the high command.
“The central leadership does not want to accommodate any dissenting voices as that will only open a Pandora’s box, which may lead to a situation similar to that of the coalition government,” a senior BJP strategist said.