How many Coastal BJP MLAs will claim ministership?

PTI

Mangaluru, 17 May 2018: With Yeddyurappa swearing in as the chief minister of Karnataka on Thursday May 17th, people are actively discussing about the fate of Coastal BJP MLAs and their ministership. It is felt that around 4 out of 12 BJP legislators elected from Udupi and Dakshina Kannada districts might become ministers. Six among the seven BJP MLAs elected from Dakshina Kannada are fairly new to the field. S. Angara however has been elected six times as MLA from Sullia constituency, and is therefore likely to be minister.

 

 

S. Angara, Halady Srinivas Shetty, Sunil Kumar and K Raghupati Bhat

Four out of five legislators elected from Udupi district are experienced and therefore are likely to become ministers. Halady Srinivas Shetty, who missed out on becoming a member of the cabinet once, will be the first pick of the party leaders. He has held the Kundapur seat both, as a BJP legislator and as an independent candidate.

 

However the chances of MLCs becoming ministers are quite low. It looks like Kota Srinivas Poojary might miss out on ministership after all.

 

Sunil Kumar from Karkala, is a young and dynamic leader who has been elected for the third time. He has links with Bajrang Dal and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. The fact that he belongs to Billawa community also adds up to his merits.

 

K Raghupati Bhat representing Udupi constituency has also been elected for the third time. The fact that he defeated a strong opponent like Pramod Madhwaraj further proves that he is worthy to claim ministership. However, he might miss out if caste calculations are given importance.

 

Kaup MLA, Lalaji Mendon, too might have a shot at being minister while B M Sukumar Shetty of Byndoor constituency may not be considered since it is his first time being MLA.

 

Addressing reporters, both Raghupati Bhat and Sunil Kumar said that all elected legislators will work together towards developing the district and that they are not particular about becoming ministers.