Karnataka cabinet rejig will only flame rebellion: Yeddyurappa
Bengaluru, Jun 8: The Karnataka BJP Chief B S Yeddyurappa Saturday predicted that Congress-JD(S) government's exercise to quell the growing dissent within the coalition through cabinet rejig on June 12 would only flame rebellion.
"There is information that one or two independent MLAs will be made ministers in the government.
If they are made ministers, it will only add fuel to the fire. Those MLAs aspiring for ministerial berths will turn against the government," Yeddyurappa told reporters in Koppal, commenting on the proposed cabinet expansion.
Earlier in the day, Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy announced that the cabinet expansion would take place on June 12.
Kumaraswamy made the announcement in a tweet after meeting Governor Vajubhai Vala, which comes after weeks of consultations between him and Congress leaders amid coalition worries compounded by the Lok Sabha poll rout.
The measure is seen as an exercise to douse dissidence among the MLAs of the coalition government, especially among Congress legislators.
As a fallout of the rout of the coalition partners, Congress and JD(S), in the recent Lok Sabha polls, in which both the parties barely survived the Modi wave, getting one seat each, many MLAs grew vocal against the government, threatening its longevity.
The BJP swept the polls, capturing 25 of the 28 Lok Sabha seats in Karnataka.
Claiming that the government would not continue for long Yeddyurappa alleged the internal fight has brought all the development works to a halt.
"If you see their infighting, it gives an impression that they will not remain in power for long... It is hindering development," Yeddyurappa said.
He ruled out the possibility of the BJP forming the government and said the party would continue to remain in the opposition.
The BJP state President said if the coalition partners fail in their duty, they should resign.
"Let them (coalition partners in government) do some good work. If they cannot do it, let them resign and go," he said.
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Karnataka: GBA city corporation polls likely between June 14 and 24
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka State Election Commissioner G S Sangreshi on Friday said elections to the five city corporations under the GBA will be held anytime between June 14 and June 24.
He said the exact date for the polls will be announced after a week, asserting that the power to postpone the elections, as requested by GBA authorities, lies with the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court had directed the Karnataka government and the State Election Commission to conduct Bengaluru local body elections by June 30.
On Friday, the SEC held a consultation meeting with the GBA Chief Commissioner and commissioners of the five city corporations regarding the election schedule, as per the provisions of the GBA Act.
“During the meeting, I informed GBA officials that only the election date has to be fixed, as all other measures and formalities for conducting the polls have already been completed,” Sangreshi said.
“They requested the Commission to consider factors such as rains, exams, census work, SIR, and manpower shortages while fixing the date and sought additional time,” he added.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, he said, “I told them this meeting was not for seeking time. Elections to the five corporations under the GBA must be held before June 30, as directed by the Supreme Court, and a compliance report must be submitted to the court. I do not have the power to postpone the elections as requested.”
The Supreme Court has already given a “final opportunity,” and both the SEC and the government must comply with its directions, the State Election Commissioner said.
He asked GBA officials to suggest suitable dates between June 14 and June 24.
“While stating that they are ready for elections, the officials highlighted operational challenges, including manpower shortages. However, I have informed them that the elections will have to be held between June 14 and June 24. After a week, I will announce the final date,” he said.
Reiterating that he does not have the power to postpone the elections, Sangreshi said the authority rests with the Supreme Court, and elections must be conducted as scheduled.
“We have consulted the GBA as per the rules. It is up to them to suggest a date within the given window. If they need more time, they must approach the court. Our responsibility is to fix the date and complete the polls before June 30,” he said.
The matter regarding manpower and other concerns raised by GBA officials is already before the Supreme Court, and the State Election Commission has also filed a petition in this regard. The case is yet to be heard.
“Since the matter has not come up for hearing, the earlier order remains binding. Therefore, preparations are underway,” he added.
The tenure of the previous elected body under the erstwhile Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) ended on September 10, 2020, and since then, a government-appointed administrator has been managing its day-to-day affairs.
Bengaluru was divided into five municipal corporations—Central, East, West, North, and South—under the Greater Bengaluru Authority in September 2025, replacing the BBMP.
Sangreshi had earlier said that elections to the five corporations would be conducted using ballot papers instead of Electronic Voting Machines.
This follows the Congress government’s decision last September to recommend the use of ballot papers in all future panchayat and urban local body elections, citing concerns over declining public confidence in EVMs.
The state government subsequently enacted the Karnataka Gram Swaraj and Panchayat Raj (Amendment) Act, 2026, paving the way for the use of ballot papers in local body elections.
