Four MLAs from twin districts may become ministers
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore/Udupi (SP)
Mangalore/Udupi, May 17: Even as preparations are being made to hold swearing-in ceremony of the new ministry of the state on Saturday May 18, chief minister, Siddaramaiah, it is said, has finalized a list of 25 probable ministers.
As many as 20 among them will be reportedly picked after getting the final nod from Congress general secretary, Rahul Gandhi, and national president, Sonia Gandhi, for being sworn in on Saturday.
The swearing-in ceremony, which was proposed to be held on Friday, stands postponed to 10.30 am on Saturday, as the list is yet to be finalized. It is expected that Rahul and Sonia will scrutinize the list, and suggest certain deletions and additions. The ceremony will be held in the glass house of Raj Bhavan.
In the meanwhile, sources in Congress said that the list of 25 ministers Siddaramaiah has submitted contains names of three legislators from Udupi and Dakshina Kannada districts. They are, Ramanath Rai, Vinay Kumar Sorake, and U T Khadar.
Ramanath Rai is expected to get clearance in the first lot itself. It is learnt that Sorake has been lobbying hard to get the ministerial berth in the first list, while Khadar may be inducted in the next expansion.
Another person who has a chance to become first-time minister is Mulky-Moodbidri MLA, Abhay Chandra Jain. The fact that he belongs to Jain community may work to his advantage, sources added. Surprisingly, the name of Puttur MLA, Shakuntala Shetty, who was expected to figure in the first list, has slunk into the oblivion at least for the present.