From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, Jul 23: Tourism and Environment Minister C P Yogeshwar, one of the dissidents in the B S Yediyurappa ministry and staunch opponent of Chief Minister’s younger son and State BJP Vice President B Y Vijayendra, said minister’s post is not permanent for anybody.

He was reacting to questions from the media during his visit to Nandi Hills to inspect the proposal for installing ropeway, when reporters asked him about political speculation that at least 10 out of the 17 persons who resigned from Congress and JD(S) to join BJP and bring down the H D Kumaraswamy-led coalition regime, were likely to be denied ministerial posts in the next government after Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa steps down.

Yogeshwar declined to comment on the change of chief minister in the State and said Yediyurappa has himself clarified on the issue during the last two days and that he has noted what the Chief Minister said. “He is a senior leader and I don’t want to say anything. The party high command decides on the issue,’’ he said.

Asked about the support extended by Swamijis of several religious Mutts, Yogeshwar said the pontiffs were big persons and they know what they are doing and made it clear that he would not like to comment on the Swamijis on their political stands.

The Minister said work on installing ropeway to the world-famous tourist attraction of Nandi Hills with private collaboration would start soon and indicated that the expert committee would be submitting its final plans.

He said Nandi Hills attracts 3,000 to 5,000 tourists on a daily basis and the ropeway was being installed as it can accommodate barely 6,000 persons.

The State Government will have to acquire private lands at the foot of Nandi Hills as just six acres of government land was available. One of the key concern was ensuring permanent drinking water supply in the Nandi Hills. There is need for providing adequate parking space for two-wheelers and cars, he said pointing out that all aspects will be taken into considering before finalising the ropeway project.