Daijiworld Media Network – Bangalore (SP)
Bangalore, Sep 4: Several Congressmen, who were nursing the dream of becoming a part of the state cabinet, have been disillusioned with the decision taken by the chief minister (CM) to restrict the current exercise just to choosing heads for boards and corporations. It is said that Karnataka chief minister (CM), Siddaramaiah, has succeeded in convincing the central leadership that the expansion of the cabinet is not possible at present because of extreme pressures coming from different circles to give priority to leaders of certain castes, senior politicians, need to achieve regional balancing, etc.
The CM, who met Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday, met All India Congress Committee (AICC) president, Sonia Gandhi. With the nod having been given for his proposal, Siddaramaiah has succeeded in temporarily evading the revolt and other problems he would have faced, had he gone ahead with the above exercise. It is said that Sonia Gandhi has given permission to Siddaramaiah to undertake cabinet expansion after consulting Digvijay Singh, who is in charge of Karnataka Congress affairs, after he returns from his foreign trip. It is said that the high command gave free hand to Siddu to decide on creating the post of deputy chief minister.
The CM's visit to New Delhi on Wednesday went on to further confirm that all is not well between him and Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president, G Parameshwar. Although both the leaders were in the country's capital, they did not meet each other, and the CM did not accompany Parameshwar during his meetings with Rahul and Sonia. Moreover, when he held discussions with state leaders, B K Hariprasad and Oscar Fernandes at Karnataka Bhavan, Parameshwar was not present.
Several veteran Congressmen from the state, who have stayed put in Karnataka Bhavan since the last some days, seeking to make it to the state ministry's four vacant slots, are disappointed with this development. However, the fact that AICC president has told Siddu to take up the task of filling up vacancies in corporations and boards in the state by choosing party workers who have worked to organize and strengthen the party since several years, has given a ray of hope for many. It is said that the CM has been told to keep MLAs away while making these appointments, as the post of MLA in itself happens to be an important post.
When queried, Siddaramaiah told the media that there is no proosal to expand his cabinet for the time being. He added that appointments to boards and corporations would be made on priority. About the creation of the post of the deputy chief minister, he said there was no such proposal before him, and termed the same as media creation.