Chief minister, Siddaramaiah, bowing to pressure brought on him by the national leaders of the party, chose to induct Krishnappa into the ministry. Krishnappa, a one-time MLC and two-time MLA, is likely to get the housing portfolio, which is at present with Siddaramaiah. Krishnappa, who has been a strong contender for a ministerial berth for the last three years, missed the bus during the previous cabinet expansion at the last moment.
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In a related development, on Siddaramaiah’s recommendation, the Governor has promoted Minister of state for Animal Husbandry, Fisheries and Horticulture A. Manju and Minister of State for Mines and Geology Vinay Kukarni to cabinet rank. It had led to unrest in Bengaluru with Krishnappa’s supporters taking to streets to register their protest.
It is said that pressure was brought on Siddaramaiah to accommodate Krishnappa, during his visit to New Delhi to get high command’s nod for filling vacancies of chairpersons of boards and corporations. Krishnappa belongs to powerful Vokkaliga community, and will fill the void created by the dropping of Vokkaliga leaders, Ambareesh and Kimmane Ratnakar.
Mr Krishnappa was tipped to be minister last time when Mr Siddaramaiah overhauled his cabinet three months ago by dropping 14 of his colleagues.
Vijayanagar MLA M Krishnappa has got the best Ganesha festival gift from Chief Minister Siddaramaiah as he is set to be inducted into the ministry on Monday. The high command has now approved Krishnappa’s name.
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Mr Krishnappa’s son Priyakrishna is also MLA and represents neighbouring Govindarajanagar constituency in Bengaluru City. The vacancies occurred after K.J. George resigned after a court in Madikeri ordered Karnataka Police to file an FIR against him in connection with the suicide of Deputy SP MK Ganapathy.
