BJP opposes induction of DKS, Baig into K'taka cabinet

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has strongly opposed the induction of D K Shivakumar and Roshan Baig into Siddaramaiah's cabinet saying the Congress party had gone back on its word of keeping tainted persons out of power.

Former chief minister Jagadish Shettar told Business Standard at his residence on Wednesday that chief minister Siddaramaiah who led a 'padayatra' to Bellary from Bangalore to oppose illegal mining, had betrayed the people by inducting D K Shivakumar and Roshan Baig who are facing charges of irregularities.

"They (Congress government) forced Santosh Lad, a minister in Siddaramaiah cabinet, to resign as he was facing charges of illegal mining and claimed that they would not keep the tainted persons in the cabinet. However, after dropping one minister from the cabinet they are inducting two persons who are facing charges of irregularities," Shettar said.

BJP state president Prahlad Joshi said the party would launch a statewide protest opposing the induction of D K Shivakumar and Baig.

Jagadish Shettar said, the process of finalising the BJP candidates for 28 Lok Sabha seats in the state would commence on January 9. Leaders from 28 Lok Sabha constituencies would be called to Bangalore on January 9 and January 10 and their views will be sought on the prospective candidates.