Karnataka gets three deputy CMs; BS Yediyurappa allots portfolios to 14 other ministers week after cabinet expansion

Bengaluru: In a first, Karnataka will have three deputy chief ministers as Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa on Monday allocated portfolios to 17 newly-appointed ministers who were inducted into the cabinet a week ago.

Among the three deputy chief ministers are Govind Karjol, who has also been given the charge of public works department and social welfare; Ashwath Narayan, who got the portfolio of higher education, IT and biotechnology, and science and technology; and Laxman Savadi, who got the transport department.

While Jagadish Shettar, a former chief minister, has been made the Minister for Large and Medium Scale Industries, two former deputy chief ministers, KS Eshwarappa and R Ashoka, have been given the charge of rural development and Panchayat raj, and revenue department respectively.

Senior Scheduled Tribe leader B Sriramulu became the health and family welfare minister, while S Suresh Kumar, a Brahmin, has been given the charge of primary and secondary education, along with SAKALA (system which provides state citizens with government services).

Other ministers who were alloted portfolio include: V Somanna (housing), CT Ravi (tourism, Kannada and culture), Basavaraj Bommai (home), Kota Shrinivas Poojari (Muzrai, fisheries, ports and inland transport), J C Madhuswamy (Law, Parliamentary Affairs and Legislation, minor irrigation).

CC Patil has been allotted mines and geology, H Nagesh (excise), Prabhu Chavan (animal husbandry), and Shahsikala Jolle (women and child development).

Interestingly, Savadi, who has been made the deputy chief minister, is neither a member of the Assembly nor the Council. His induction into the cabinet had created resentment among several senior BJP legislators.