Yediyurappa’s ‘non-interference’ promise not showing in action

Aspirants are continuing to meet him seeking a berth in the new Ministry

Though the former Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa has over the last three days repeatedly claimed that he will not interfere in the Cabinet formation, ministerial aspirants are continuing to meet him seeking a berth in the new Ministry. On Saturday too, M.P. Renukacharya, Ramesh Jarkiholi, Munirathna, and Shivanagouda Naik met him lobbying for a ministerial berth. These are only the latest among a slew of legislators who have met him over the last four days. “I have told legislators meeting me to instead meet Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, whose prerogative is Cabinet formation. I have no role in it,” Mr. Yediyurappa told reporters recently. However, less than a minute after he made this statement, when reporters asked him about the future of defectors who have said they joined the party under his leadership, he said, “I will advice Mr. Bommai to accommodate them suitably as they are responsible for the BJP to come to power.”