K’taka: Cabinet discontent grows, more leaders seek berths

Bengaluru, June 13 (SocialNews.XYZ) Infighting over cabinet portfolio allocations continued in the newly formed Congress government led by Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar in Karnataka, with Minister for Bengaluru Development Krishna Byre Gowda yet to assume charge of his department.

While the Congress leadership has managed to pacify senior ministers Ramalinga Reddy and K.H. Muniyappa, discontent over portfolio allocation continues within the ruling party. Earlier, Minister Ramalinga Reddy had reportedly submitted his resignation to the party leadership, demanding the Bengaluru Development portfolio. However, he withdrew the decision following the intervention of the Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi.

Similarly, Food and Civil Supplies Minister K.H. Muniyappa had publicly stated that he would not assume charge of his ministry, later expressing confidence that the party high command would consider his seniority and assign him a more suitable portfolio.

Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar has indicated that he will travel to New Delhi next week to hold discussions with the party high command regarding cabinet expansion and related issues.

On Saturday, Shivakumar and Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara held a day‑long meeting with Deputy Commissioners, Chief Executive Officers of Zilla Panchayats and Superintendents of Police.

Meanwhile, protests and padyatras continued across the state, with supporters demanding cabinet berths for former minister Zameer Ahmad Khan and senior Congress MLA Hampanagouda Badarli.

Speaking to the media in Bengaluru on Saturday, Krishna Byre Gowda said that when responsibilities were entrusted, there should be clarity, as only then could one work efficiently and deliver results. He said that without clarity regarding responsibilities, it became difficult to meet expectations, and he had requested clarity on his role.

He added that he had discussed the matter with Chief Minister Shivakumar, who assured him that the issue would be resolved. He said he would decide his future course of action after seeing the Chief Minister’s decision.

Krishna Byre Gowda had camped in New Delhi for three days and met senior Congress leaders to convey his concerns. Despite being allotted an official government vehicle, he continues to use his private car, a move party insiders describe as a silent form of protest.

The Bengaluru Development portfolio assigned to Gowda does not include the Bengaluru Development Authority (BDA) and the Bengaluru Metropolitan Region Development Authority (BMRDA), two key agencies retained by Chief Minister Shivakumar. Gowda has reportedly objected to this arrangement and taken up the matter with the party high command, demanding that both agencies be brought under his ministry.

Meanwhile, supporters of former minister Zameer Ahmad Khan staged a protest in Hubballi, led by religious seers, demanding that he be appointed Deputy Chief Minister.

Health and Family Welfare Minister U.T. Khader, speaking to the media in Hassan today, sought to downplay reports of internal dissent. He said there was no dissatisfaction among party leaders and that it was natural for supporters and well‑wishers to demand positions for their leaders. He added that the high command knew whom to appoint and whom not to appoint, and the Congress government would ensure effective governance.

In another development, Congress MLC Rajendra Rajanna, son of former minister K.N. Rajanna, met Chief Minister Shivakumar and held discussions with him. Political observers view the meeting as an attempt to secure a position for Rajendra Rajanna, especially after K.N. Rajanna had earlier publicly criticised Shivakumar.

Five‑time Congress MLA Hampanagouda Badarli, who represents the Sindhanur Assembly constituency, is also lobbying strongly for a cabinet berth. His supporters recently undertook a 20‑km padyatra from Sindhanur to the Amba Devi Temple, demanding a ministerial post for him. They also offered special prayers seeking his induction into the cabinet.

Source: IANS