New Delhi, August 10: New Karnataka Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda on Wednesday ruled out creation of a Deputy Chief Minister's post and re-induction of controversial Reddy brothers in the Cabinet.
On his first visit to Delhi after assuming office, Gowda said the central leadership was not in favour of a deputy chief minister as none of the BJP-ruled states have such a post.
“My central party is there. My state party is there. I am not the only one to take decisions on all these things. All the directions given by the central leadership will be (implemented) after consultations,” he said in response to a query whether Reddy brothers would be inducted in Cabinet.
Mining magnates—G Karunakara Reddy and G Janardhana Reddy—and their aide Sriramulu were kept out of the Gowda's Cabinet after the state Lokayukta indicted them in its report on the mining issue.
Janardhana is seen campaigning and has met BJP leaders apparently lobbying for their re-entry in the government.
On differences with his Cabinet colleague Jagdhish Shettar, who was also a contender for the chief minister's post after B S Yeddyurappa quit on July 31, Gowda expressed confidence that all issues would be resolved.
On reports that he has constructed a building in violation of rules, he said, “Sadananda Gowda is not above the law. Law will take its own course. I will abide by whatever decision is taken.”
The chief minister said he would expand his Cabinet within a fortnight.
Gowda said consultations with the central leadership on Cabinet expansion have already started and would be completed very soon.
The chief minister, who met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee and Home Minister P Chidambaram on Tuesday, also held a breakfast meeting with MPs from the state.
The meeting was attended by Corporate Affairs Minister Veerappa Moily, Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Rehman Khan, BJP leader Ananth Kumar and other MPs. Congress General Secretary Oscar Fernandes was also present.
At the meeting, the chief minister requested all the MPs to support the state government in getting early clearances for projects related to Karnataka from Centre.
During his meeting with Singh, Gowda requested him to inaugurate the 1st phase of Bangalore Metro in September.
To a question, Gowda said, “He was the captain, but there are other team members also, who will have equal responsibilities.”
