BENGALURU: Following Cabinet expansion in Karnataka, State Minister R Shankar on Saturday hinted at joining hands with opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) if he is not allocated the desired portfolio and dropped from the ministry. The Karnataka Prajnyavantha Janatha Party MLA stated he had not spoken to the BJP but will not be uncertain in thinking about the option.
"I'm getting reports I'll be dropped from cabinet. When they didn't call me for CLP meeting I realised that Congress is ditching me. BJP hasn't contacted me yet, but if I am dropped from Cabinet I'll rethink," he stated.
Shankar is an Independent politician who is reportedly facing the axe over his lack of enthusiasm to be an associate member of the grand old Congress party.
Along with him, Municipal Administration Minister Ramesh Jarkiholi is also expected to be removed in the Cabinet reallocate. Jarkiholi has been allegedly associating with BJP leaders and is not attending Cabinet and party talks. He will expected be replaced by his brother Satish Jarkiholi.
As per the statement issued by the office of Congress Legislature Party Leader Siddaramaiah, Satish Jarkiholi, MB Patil, CS Shivalli, MTB Nagaraj, E Tukaram, PT Parameshwar Naik, Rahim Khan and RB Thimmapur would be introduced into the ministry.