Date:23/08/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/08/23/stories/2008082360390600.htm

Karnataka

I will continue as Minister: Sudhakar

Staff Correspondent

MYSORE: Denying reports in section of the press that independents, who have supported in Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to form the government and became Ministers in B.S. Yeddyurappa’s Cabinet, will be dropped to accommodate “migrants” from other parties, Minister for Social Welfare D. Sudhakar has said that he is confident of completing his five-year term as Minister.

Speaking to presspersons here on Friday, he said that he had complete faith in both Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa and Bharatiya Janata Party State unit president D.V. Sadananda Gowda.

Under no circumstances Mr. Yeddyurappa would drop him from the Cabinet, he added.

Assurance

“Mr. Yeddyurappa has assured all five Independents, who have supported the BJP in forming the government during crisis, of continuing them as Minister and we have no reason to doubt his integrity,” Mr. Sudhakar said.

When asked about Mr. Yeddyurappa continuing his stride to accommodate those who have deserted either the Janata Dal (Secular) or Congress and joined the Bharatiya Janata Party into the cabinet, he said that he had nothing to say on the matter, as that was internal matter of the BJP.