M A I N   N E W S

‘Drop me and I will kill myself’
Karnataka minister threatens CM
Shubhadeep Choudhury
Tribune News Service

Bangalore, September 20
Cabinet reshuffle in Karnataka mooted by Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa has set off frantic reactions among ministers facing the axe and aspirants eying the vacancies.

The most bizarre reaction has come from Sports and Youth Services Minister Gulihatti Shekar who has warned “he will kill himself if he is axed by Yeddyurappa”. Shekhar is among the five Independent MLAs who provided the crucial support to the BJP for forming the first party government in 2008 when the saffron party found itself three short of having a simple majority in the 225-member strong Karnataka House.

Shekhar is believed to be among the ministers likely to be dropped during the cabinet reshuffle that Yeddyurappa is expected to carry out on September 22. Talking to a TV channel this morning, Shekhar said, “Let the BJP hoist flag on my grave”. The minister also revealed that Karunakara Reddy -- now the Revenue Minister in the Yeddyurappa-led cabinet and the Bellary mining baron -- was instrumental in securing his support for the BJP.

Karnataka has three vacancies of ministers following the resignations of ministers from these posts. While Food and Civil Supplies Minister Hartalu Halappa resigned due to rape charges, Medical Education Minister Ramchandra Gowda resigned following a recruitment scam and Religious Endowment Minister SNK Shetty quit after a land scandal.

In addition, there are likely to be four more vacancies as Yeddyurappa has himself confessed that four ministers are likely to be dropped as their performance is not up to the mark. This gives the CM the scope to fill up seven posts where he can accommodate other aspirants, including his favourite Shobha Karandlaje -- whom he was earlier forced to drop from the cabinet following pressure from the Bellary Reddys.