Portfolio Allocation Stirs Discontent in Karnataka BJP Among Seniors, Disqualified MLAs

Signs of discontent surfaced in the Karnataka BJP within hours of cabinet portfolios being allocated, with Chikmagalur MLA and Vokkaliga leader CT Ravi posting a string of tweets late on Monday that hinted at unhappiness in the party.

Seniors overlooked

The BS Yediyurappa government has given three of the 17 newly inducted ministers the post of deputy chief minister, and the choices have upset some senior leaders. KS Eshwarappa and R Ashok, both deputy chief ministers in earlier BJP governments, missed out this time. Eshwarappa gets Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, while Ashok becomes Revenue minister.

Eshwarappa’s supporters in the Sangolli Rayanna Brigade called his sidelining an “insult” and threatened to hit back at the party unless he is made deputy chief minister soon.

The choice of Ashwath Narayan as deputy chief minister ahead of CT Ravi may also annoy sections of the party. Ravi, a four-time MLA who has been given Tourism along with Kannada and Culture, told CNN-News18 he had never asked for any ministry. In his late-night tweets, however, he said he was loyal to the BJP but also to his principles, and that the fighter in him would emerge if his pride were hurt.

Unease among disqualified MLAs

Lakshman Savadi’s elevation, despite his defeat by Mahesh Kumnatahalli in Athani in the assembly election, has unsettled the disqualified MLAs, uncertain of where they stand in the government. With by-elections close, the party will have to choose between the two for the Athani ticket, and the disqualified MLAs may feel let down if Savadi gets it.

A social media campaign has also begun calling for Molkalmuru MLA B Sriramalu, a prominent Dalit leader now handling Health and Family Welfare, be made deputy chief minister.

Other key portfolios

• Govind Karjole, another deputy chief minister, holds PWD and Social Welfare.
• JC Madhuswamy gets Law and Parliamentary Affairs plus Water Resources, reportedly as a reward for defending the BJP in the House against horse-trading charges.
• Jagdish Shettar handles Large and Small Scale Industries.
• Basavaraj Bommai is the new Home minister.

Background

The JD(S)-Congress government led by H. D. Kumaraswamy fell in July 2019, and Yeddyurappa returned as Chief Minister.

See also: Bharatiya Janata Party, state assembly members.

Originally published on 27 August 2019. Rewritten on 9 October 2026.

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