Reshuffle after HY Meti exit? Not likely

Mysuru: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has hinted that he is in no mood for a Cabinet reshuffle saying, “We have a good cabinet, we will come to power again with the same cabinet.” 

The CM was reacting to queries after former Mysuru MP Mr A.H. Vishwanath said that it would be tough to face the assembly elections in 2018 with the same cabinet. Speaking to reporters at Hullallli helipad in Nanjangud taluk, here on Sunday, the CM also denied any adverse impact on the party or embarrassment to the  government, due to the Meti sex CD episode involving the former exise minister. 

Answering a query by mediapersons, he said, “The truth is yet to come out. There is no complaint by the victim, and it was not even a rape. Mr Meti has resigned, he himself has stated that it was a conspiracy and has sought an inquiry.  So we have initiated action and ordered for a CID inquiry. If he has done any mistake he will undergo punishment,” he said.  On a statement by BJP State president Mr B.S. Yeddyurappa that two more ministers would resign shortly, he said, “Is Mr Yeddyurappa an astrologer? If he has documents, let him expose them,” he said. 

Speaking about the drought the CM said, “Both South-West and North-East Monsoons have failed, and 139 taluks are being declared drought hit. There were floods in four districts-Bidar, Kalaburagi, Raichur and Belagavi. Farmers have suffered as much as Rs 25,000 crore crop loss. As per NDRF norms we have already sought Rs 4702 crores for drought relief and Rs 386 crores for floods. Our ministers have  met the central agriculture minister and home minister, Rajnath Singh who is the chairman of the committee. I also met them during my recent visit to Delhi. I sought an appointment with the Prime Minister on the 9th of this month, to seek special financial assistance since the drought is the worst in past 40 years, I was not given an appointment. We have formed four cabinet sub-committees for four revenue divisions to take spot decisions, led by Mr Kagodu Thimmappa, Mr R.V. Deshpande, Mr Jaychandra, Mr H.K. Patil and they are already on tour. The drought measures have already begun,” he said.