Olekar softens after cabinet promise

HAVERI/ BALLARI: After being assured of a place during the next cabinet expansion by chief minister Basavaraj Bommai, disgruntled Haveri MLA Nehru Olekar has ended his revolt. Minister BC Patil visited Olekar’s residence on Friday and convinced him. Later, he called chief minister Bommai over phone and both BC Patil and Nehru Olekar talked over the phone.
“CM Basavaraj Bommai admitted that there was injustice during cabinet formation and assured me he will make me a minister during the next cabinet expansion.However, he also appealed to extend my cooperation and I will support him,” Olekar later said.
“I was disappointed due to the non-representation of the Chaluvadi community in the cabinet despite the community having over 46 lakh population in the state. Moreover, the chief minister himself has regretted not inducting anyone from the SC right group in the cabinet,” he added.
Have demanded a portfolio: Anand Singh
In Ballari, minister Anand Singh said, “I have demanded a particular portfolio, but I don’t want to disclose it in front of media.”
Singh said former CM BS Yediyurappa had allotted tourism portfolio to him and later changed it to Haj and Wakf. “I never expressed my disappointment about this. But I convinced the CM that we would put more efforts towards development if we got our favourite portfolio,” he added.
Singh said the Vijayanagara district was supposed to be launch on August 15, but it has been postponed due to incomplete preparations. “Now, we have planned to inaugurate the district during Ganesh festival. We are preparing for a three-day event, especially focusing on the historic ruins of Vijayanagara ruins during the inaugural event. We will organise this event depending on the Covid situation,” Singh said.