No proposal before me to rejig cabinet, let's see after meeting in Delhi: CM Yediyurappa
Bengaluru, Jul 15: Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa on Thursday said there was no proposal before him to reshuffle his cabinet, however any changes in this regard is subject to his meeting with BJP central leaders in Delhi.
Yediyurappa will be travelling to Delhi on Friday, during which he is expected to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi, host of central Ministers and the BJP central leaders.
"I'm going to Delhi tomorrow with an intention to meet several central Ministers and the Prime Minister to discuss the development of the state, irrigation projects that are pending and other issues," Yediyurappa said.
During the Chief Minister's proposed meeting with the PM and the concerned union Ministers, he is expected to seek central government's clearances for Mekedatu project across river Cauvery, to which neighbouring Tamil Nadu is vehemently opposed to.
Speaking to reporters here, the CM said, "he (PM) has said he will meet, he will give time. So after meeting everyone, I will return day-after-tomorrow (Saturday)."
He was responding to a question whether time was fixed for his meeting with the Prime Minister.
Asked whether the cabinet reshuffle was on cards, Yediyurappa said, "there is no such thing before me, let's see after discussions there (in Delhi). It is not before me."
Amid speculations about the possible cabinet rejig on the lines of union cabinet reshuffle, Yediyurappa had recently maintained that no discussions have taken place on it.
State BJP President Nalin Kumar Kateel had on Wednesday said it is left to the CM's discretion.
During BJP national general secretary in-charge of Karnataka Arun Singh's individual meeting with legislators last month, in the midst of rumblings within the party on the leadership change issue, several of them had reportedly discussed social justice and regional imbalance in the cabinet and thereby had tried to make out a case for a reshuffle.
Yediyurappa had last expanded his cabinet in January with the induction of seven new ministers and had also effected a reshuffle of the departments of some ministers.
There are now 33 ministers in the state cabinet, and one berth is vacant.
The cabinet expansion in January had resulted in large- scale resentment in the party, with too many aspirants for ministerial posts.
Yediyurappa's visit to Delhi also comes, even as speculation about his possible replacement refuses to die down.
Also repeated open remarks by some disgruntled leaders within the state BJP, targeting him and his family, accusing them of corruption and interference in administration, have embarrassed the party and the government, despite warnings of disciplinary action by the leadership.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Annamalai left out of BJP’s candidate list for Tamil Nadu polls, party cites High Command decision
Chennai/New Delhi: The Bharatiya Janata Party has released its list of 27 candidates for the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, triggering political discussion after the absence of former state president K Annamalai from the roster.
Despite being widely seen as the party’s most prominent face in the state and a key figure in its southern expansion strategy, Annamalai was not fielded in the list. Senior leaders, including Tamilisai Soundararajan from Mylapore, Vanathi Srinivasan from Coimbatore North, and Union Minister L. Murugan from Avinashi, have been nominated.
Responding to questions on the omission, Tamil Nadu BJP president Nainar Nagendran said the decision was taken by the party’s central leadership. He expressed confidence that all 27 candidates would emerge victorious in the polls.
Annamalai, a former IPS officer who joined the BJP in 2020 and rapidly rose to prominence, had earlier been replaced as state chief by Nagendran. Known for his aggressive political style and grassroots outreach, he has been instrumental in amplifying the party’s presence in Tamil Nadu, a state traditionally dominated by Dravidian parties.
In a message posted on X, Annamalai congratulated the candidates and reaffirmed his commitment to the party. He said he would campaign actively for BJP and NDA nominees, expressing confidence in the alliance securing a decisive mandate. He also criticised the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam government, calling it ineffective and self-serving.
The BJP is contesting the elections as part of the National Democratic Alliance led by the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam. Seat-sharing arrangements allocate 169 constituencies to the AIADMK, 27 to the BJP, 18 to the Pattali Makkal Katchi, 11 to the Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam, five to the Tamil Maanila Congress, and one seat each to the Indhiya Jananayaga Katchi and Puratchi Bharatham.
Tamil Nadu will vote in a single phase on April 23 across all 234 constituencies, with counting scheduled for May 4. The primary contest is expected between the DMK-led alliance and the AIADMK-led NDA, although actor-turned-politician Vijay is also positioning himself as a potential challenger, raising the possibility of a multi-cornered contest.
#WATCH | Chennai | Tamil Nadu BJP President Nainar Nagendran says, "A list of 27 candidates has been released by the BJP High Command... All the 27 candidates will surely win this time..."
— ANI (@ANI) April 3, 2026
On Annamalai's name not appearing in the recently released list, he says, "This is a… https://t.co/pDd0HodSAW pic.twitter.com/29gkGK9AaP
