KJ George, a key aide of Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, is back in State Cabinet. He was sworn in by Governor Vajubhai Vala on Monday morning.

The Congress is upbeat over George’s re-induction, for he comes with lot of experience, especially in handling the minority vote and Bengaluru’s infrastructure needs.

An MLA from Sarvagnanagar constituency in Bengaluru city, George had earlier held the Bengaluru Development portfolio. He had to resign in the wake of the alleged suicide by a DySP-rank officer in Kodagu district. An police probe cleared him of all charges, paving way for his return to the Cabinet.

After shifting from the all-important Home portfolio to Bengaluru Development, he had become popular among Bengaluru’s residents’ welfare associations and NGOs in localities along the IT corridor, especially the southern and eastern part of the city.

Though there were allegations that he had stakes in several real estate companies, his handling of the Bengaluru Development ministry gained him both the party and Siddaramaiah’s confidence.

The principal opposition BJP, which has been opposing George’s re-induction, has decided to launch State-wide protests over the matter.

For now, the Congress is happy at his return. George’s popularity in the Bengaluru region — which is home to 28 constituencies, and influences the outcome in 70 seats in neighbouring districts — is crucial to the Congress’ prospects in what is the only major State in the party’s kitty nation wide.

Also, it could prove a key State for the party to raise resources as it prepares for State elections in 2017.

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