RTI activist threatens to file PIL if ‘unconstitutional’ DyCMs appointed

Bengaluru: As ministerial aspirants have begun lobbying to secure a berth in the new cabinet, a Belagavi based RTI activist Bheemappa Gadad said that the appointment of deputy chief ministers is not valid as per the Constitution, and no such posts should be created when the cabinet is expanded over the next few days by new Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai.

Speaking with this regard the RTI activist said, “As per the Preamble of the Constitution, there is no provision to appoint a deputy chief minister. Articles 163 and 164 of the Constitution do not mention it.”

He further added, “If the government picks a deputy chief minister, I will raise my voice in the court and stop the appointment.”

“The Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms gave a written reply to my RTI query that a deputy chief minister is being appointed. I have sent a mail to the Governor and chief secretary not to allow such an appointment,” he added.

“If the government is functioning on tradition, it should start a new one by appointing another CM to Suvarna Soudha,” the activist said.

Basavarj Bommai took charge as the Chief Minister of Karnataka on July 28 expanding the Ministry will be the first big challenge before the new Chief Minister as he will have to navigate through the cabinet formation exercise by maintaining balance between factions within the ruling BJP in the state.

There are several aspirants among the party old guard, and legislators who had joined the BJP after quitting the Congress-JD(S) coalition in 2019.

Bommai, who alone took oath on Wednesday, succeeding BS Yediyurappa, said he will try to expand the Cabinet soon.