Yediyurappa hints at Karnataka cabinet expansion or reshuffle before May 10
Bengaluru, May 6: Karnataka BJP leader B S Yediyurappa on Friday hinted that the much-awaited expansion or reshuffle of the Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai-led cabinet in the state, may take place before May 10.
The former chief minister said Prime Minister Narendra Modi will soon take a decision in this regard after discussion with Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who had visited the city earlier this week.
"...information has come that in three to four days after discussing with everyone. It might be done before May 10, at the earliest the Prime Minister after discussion with Amit Shah will decide on cabinet expansion and other things," Yediyurappa said in response to a question.
Speaking to reporters here, he said talks about replacing the Chief Minister are mere speculations. "There is no such thing," he added.
Bommai had replaced Yediyurappa as Chief Minister in July last year.
On Thursday, Bommai had said that he is ready to go to New Delhi to discuss about the state cabinet, as soon as the BJP central leadership calls him.
With the state cabinet meeting that was scheduled to be held on May 5 getting postponed to May 11, speculation is rife that it may be to accommodate expansion or reshuffle of the ministry, amid reports that the BJP high command is expected to arrive at a decision in this regard before May 10.
Shah's visit to the city on Tuesday had come amid buzz over possible changes in the leadership, and pressure to rejig or expand the cabinet, ahead of the Assembly polls in 2023.
Several top BJP leaders have denied speculations about Bommai's replacement.
According to top BJP sources, Shah too is said to have asked Bommai to focus on development and election preparations, and leave the rest to the party leadership.
Amid murmurs in the BJP circles that a top-to-bottom overhaul of the cabinet cannot be ruled out, ministerial aspirants are hopeful that a decision is likely soon regarding cabinet expansion or reshuffle, and there are even talks that several incumbents could make way for fresh faces.
Bommai is under pressure from aspirants to expand or reshuffle his cabinet at the earliest, ahead of the polls next year.
There are currently five positions vacant in the state cabinet, which has 29 ministers, including the chief minister, against the sanctioned strength of 34.
Some legislators have even been advocating a Gujarat-like overhaul of the Karnataka cabinet soon, to make way for new faces, ahead of the assembly elections.
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Kerala HC slams Boby Chemmanur for staying in prison after getting bail; calls it drama
Kochi (PTI): The Kerala High Court on Wednesday ticked off prominent businessman Boby Chemmanur for refusing to come out of jail after getting bail a day ago in a sexual harassment filed by Malayalam actor Honey Rose.
Judges said, "don't play drama with the court".
Irked by the businessman's conduct, Justice P V Kunhikrishnan warned Chemmanur not to "play games with the High Court" and said if bail was granted, it can be cancelled also.
The High Court also sought an explanation by 12 pm from Chemmanur as to why he did not come out after getting bail. The High Court said that the bail order was uploaded on its website by 4.08 pm on Tuesday and the release order was issued by 4.45 pm.
"Why was he retained in jail after that?" it asked.
The prosecution told the High Court that the release order was not produced by Chemmanur's lawyers in the prison and that is why he was not let out.
The prosecution also told the court that the businessman claimed he was not coming out as there were several remand prisoners in jail who could not come out despite getting bail as they did not have the money to execute the bond.
Irked by the development, the High Court said, "You (Chemmanur) need not take the vakalat of the remand prisoners. The High Court and the judiciary are there to take care of them. Don't play drama with the court.
"He wants media attention and is creating stories by keeping the release order in his pocket. Why should his bail not be cancelled?"
Justice Kunhikrishnan said that if he granted bail to the businessman, he can cancel it also.
"Do you (Chemmanur) think you are above the law? I can ask the police to arrest him and order that the probe be completed in two weeks," the judge said.
The court directed that an explanation be provided at 12 pm for Chemmanur's conduct.
Chemmanur, after coming out from jail in the morning, told reporters that many inmates told him that they could not get out of prison despite getting bail as they did not have the money to execute the bond.
"When they came to me, I told them we can resolve the issue. I stayed back in jail one day only for that," he claimed. Granting relief to Chemmanur on Tuesday, Justice Kunhikrishnan, however, said,"body shaming is not acceptable in our society".
While granting him the relief, the court had also noted that prima facie it was of the opinion that "there are ingredients to attract the offences alleged against the petitioner (Chemmanur).
Chemmanur has been charged under Section 75(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for making "sexually coloured remarks" as a form of sexual harassment, as well as under Section 67 of the IT Act for publishing or transmitting obscene material in electronic form.
The High Court had also noted that he used words "with double meanings". The businessman was arrested on January 8 and remanded to judicial custody on January 9.
According to the actor's complaint, upon invitation, she inaugurated the Chemmanur International Jewellery showroom at Alakode, Kannur, on August 7, 2024, where thousands had gathered to witness the event.
During the inauguration ceremony, Chemmanur placed a necklace around the actress's neck and then made unwelcome sexual advances with bad intentions, twirling or rotating her, the complaint has stated.
However, Chemmanur has stated that he is completely innocent of all the accusations levelled against him and denied the allegations, calling them false, baseless, and incorrect.
