Congress planning operation 'Hasta' amid talks of Karnataka cabinet expansion?

Karnataka BJP MLA Basangouda Patil Yatnal has alleged that some sitting ministers who had defected from Congress to BJP in 2020, will rejoin Congress ahead of the next state assembly elections.

Karnataka BJP MLA Basangouda Patil Yatnal has alleged that some sitting ministers who had defected from Congress to BJP in 2020, bringing down the JDS-Congress coalition government, will rejoin Congress ahead of the next state assembly elections.

Yatnal alleged, "Many MLAs will leave party and go, then you'll say we want Yatnal and Jarkiholi [as ministers]. Many from BJP have already booked tickets in Congress. They went to DK Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah. How will the BJP survive if they continue as ministers?"

He was referring to Congress defectors who were made ministers in the BJP government. According to Yatnal, these ministers will complete their term and defect to Congress ahead of next election.

Former Chief Minister and Congress leader Siddaramaiah confirmed that few JDS and BJP MLAs are in touch with Congress to make a comeback. Operation Hasta (hand) reportedly refers to the defection of BJP and JDS party members to Congress. All this comes amidst calls for expanding the state cabinet. There are four vacant berths.

Interestingly, Karnataka MLAs including Yatnal had met Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai seeking a cabinet expansion. They demanded a cabinet berth and said the expansion needs to be done immediately, keeping in view the general polls next year.

BJP MLA Renukacharya too admitted that he had asked the party to be made a minister. He said, " I had asked Yediyurappa back then to make me minister. I've asked the state president and Arun Singh too. I'll not lobby in public. We are not rebels. We are united and with the party."

Bommai had squashed rumors about dissent, saying there are four vacant cabinet berths and there will be aspirants for it. Bommai said BJP central leadership will take a call on cabinet expansion soon.