Minister Laxman Savadi on Saturday said that the issue of inducting a woman legislator into the State Cabinet was likely to be completed soon and Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar was considering it.

Speaking to press persons in Belagavi on Saturday, Mr. Savadi said that he would not like to discuss the issue of portfolios. “The importance of a portfolio depends on how well it is handled. Any portfolio can acquire importance if it is managed effectively,” he said.

About the allegations of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) that Basavaraj Horatti was removed from the post of Chairman of Legislative Council ‘like a goonda’, Mr. Savadi said he had immense respect for Mr. Horatti and said that Mr. Horatti was treated with respect by the Chief Minister and he had relinquished the post with dignity.

To another query, Mr. Savadi said the Congress high command had advised all leaders from the district to work together with an eye on retaining power in the 2028 Assembly elections.

On the BJP’s drought assessment exercise, Mr. Savadi said it was the responsibility of the Opposition to visit affected areas, assess the situation and raise the issues during the Assembly session.

Reacting to criticism that the Congress government had failed to take off despite having 136 MLAs, Mr. Savadi said the BJP needed to remain active if it wanted to remain politically relevant. “If the BJP does not discuss such issues, it will go into a coma,” he said, adding that the party could find it difficult to retain even its existing seats in the 2028 elections.

Mr. Savadi said the government would consider the suggestions and reports submitted by the Opposition on drought and excessive rainfall.

The Minister had visited six taluks in Uttara Kannada over the past two days and would submit his report on Monday. The government had directed officials to take necessary measures wherever required, he added.

Published - August 08, 2026 11:26 pm IST