BJP central leadership "positive" about re-induction of Eshwarappa, Jarkiholi, says CM Bommai
KSE claims CM has assured to make him a minister; yet to take a call on attending Assembly session
Bengaluru/Belagavi, Dec 20: Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Tuesday said the BJP's central leadership was "positive" about the re-induction of sulking ex-ministers KS Eshwarappa and Ramesh Jarkiholi in the state cabinet, even as the duo skipping the ongoing Assembly session has embarrassed the ruling party.
The two had earlier resigned as ministers--Eshwarappa over allegations of bribery and Jarkiholi over a sex scandal but the probe agencies investigating into the respective cases had given them clean chits.
Eshwarappa, a former deputy CM and ex-state party President, said Bommai has assured them of cabinet berths soon.
He had resigned as Minister earlier this year after a contractor allegedly committed suicide accusing him of demanding 40 percent commission in a public work contract in 2020.
Stating they have been given "clean chit" by police in those cases, the two leaders had been demanding that they be made ministers again.
Eshwarappa, BJP's Shivamogga MLA and Jarkiholi (Gokak) have been conspicuous by their absence in the Assembly session that commenced on Monday in Belagavi in north Karnataka. Eshwarappa had said he would not attend the Assembly session until he is made a Minister.
On Tuesday, Bommai said he was in touch with Jarkiholi and Eshwarappa.
Their non-participation in the assembly is not boycott. "They are right in their thinking that they must return to the Council of Ministers once they were cleared of all the charges," Bommai told reporters in Belagavi.
During his recent visit to Delhi, the party high command discussed the matter related to Eshwarappa and Jarkiholi, Bommai said.
"They (party leadership) are also positive about their induction but certain things cannot be told in public," the chief minister added.
Meanwhile, Eshwarappa said Bommai has assured them Cabinet berth soon.
"The chief minister has assured me he will speak to the party high command and induct me in the cabinet after I got a clean chit," he told reporters in Bengaluru.
"Not only me but Ramesh Jarkiholi also will be made a minister because he too got a clean chit," Eshwarappa added.
Asked if he would attend the assembly session after the assurance by Bommai, Eshwarappa said, "I will speak to the chief minister in the evening before taking any decision".
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Vijay unable to prove majority, not invited for CM oath ceremony: Sources
Chennai: Actor-politician Vijay has reportedly not been invited to take oath as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu after failing to demonstrate support from the required number of MLAs, sources in Raj Bhavan said.
According to media reports that quoted sources in the office of R.N. Ravi Arlekar, Vijay could not prove the backing of 118 legislators, the majority mark in the 234-member Tamil Nadu Assembly.
Despite last-minute efforts to secure support from the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazagam (AMMK), and an IUML legislator, Vijay reportedly managed support from only 116 MLAs, falling short by two members.
Sources said Vijay failed to submit letters of support from the VCK and the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML).
Later, the IUML issued a statement clarifying that it was not part of the TVK-led alliance.
Meanwhile, AMMK leader T.T.V. Dhinakaran is also said to have informed the Governor that his party would support the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) instead.
Earlier in the evening, Vijay had met Governor Arlekar and staked claim to form the government, stating that he enjoyed the support of 118 MLAs.
