Somanna, a surprise pick by the BJP high command, has been allotted these portfolios considering his track record of effectively implementing government schemes and projects.

The state lags behind in terms of railway connectivity compared to other southern states.

There are high expectations from Somanna in Karnataka to improve railway connectivity from Bengaluru to North Karnataka.

Somanna belongs to the Lingayat community and maintains cordial relations with all the prominent Lingayat saints. He was chosen over prominent Lingayat leaders like former CM Basavaraj Bommai and Jagadish Shettar.

Meanwhile, Shobha Karandlaje has been appointed Minister of State in the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises and Minister of State in the Ministry of Labor and Employment.

Shobha Karandlaje was the Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare in the previous BJP government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

His new role has been given in view of his past performance and to give representation to the BJP's stronghold of Coastal Karnataka and BJP's Vokkaliga community in the state.

Shobha Karandlaje is a resident of Puttur in Dakshina Kannada district.