Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Jul 29: With Basavaraj Bommai taking over charge as the new chief minister (CM) of Karnataka, the BJP camp in coastal Karnataka is busy making advance calculations about who might become ministers in the new cabinet.

During the period of B S Yediyurappa as the chief minister, both Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts had one post each. Kota Srinivas Poojary was made the minister at the time of the ministry formation while Sullia MLA S Angara, was made a minister a few months back. People are also trying to predict who will make it, based on various factors. BJP sources here expect Angara to continue as a minister. If he has to make an exit to pave way for new faces, one of the six newly elected legislators may get a chance.

In Udupi district, five legislators and an MLC are eligible to become ministers. If the same ministry is reinstated, Srinivas Poojary might make the grade. If one among the MLAs is decided to be made a minister, Karkala MLA Sunil Kumar may be preferred from the Billawa quota. Halady Srinivas Shetty, who has been elected most number of times as an MLA from Kundapur might also be chosen. At the same time, Udupi MLA Raghupati Bhat, and Kaup MLA Lalaji R Mendon, too are in the race for a ministerial position. Having functioned as the in-charge minister for Udupi district, Bommai is aware of the strengths and weaknesses of the legislators here and he might choose the best in the interests of efficient administration.

Chances of Bommai along with some representatives of the high command deciding on the new ministry are more. As of now, there are only speculations about who might become ministers. At the same time, people are debating on the chances of leaders who were posted as heads of various corporations and boards when Yediyurappa was the chief minister of continuance, and also whether those who crossed over under the Operation Kamala will be retained in the new ministry.