Bangalore: Defending the induction of Congress veterans D.K. Shivakumar and R. Roshan Baig into the state cabinet, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah asserted that the two new ministers could not be dubbed as ‘tainted.’
Stating that there were no serious allegations against the two leaders, Siddaramaiah told reporters that anti-corruption crusader S.R. Hiremath was free to continue his fight against the new ministers and he would not come in the way.
He tried to play down reports that dissidence had reared its head in the party after Wednesday’s expansion saying senior and experienced members had merely expressed their opinion.
“There are no serious allegations against the two ministers. We have considered everything before inducting them into the cabinet. Just because some people level allegations, we cannot call them tainted,” he said.
When asked about murmurs of dissent over the expansion, the CM said there were several meritorious Congress members who deserve to be ministers.
“There were many aspirants, so there will definitely be dissatisfaction. Some members have expressed their dissatisfaction in public, but that does not mean there is dissidence in the party,” he said.
On the reported tussle over the Haj portfolio, now held by Qamar Ul Islam with Roshan Baig keen on the same portfolio, Siddaramaiah said he had already sent a proposal on portfolio allocation to the Governor.
“There were reports that I went to rural development minister H.K. Patil’s house, seeking his help to pacify a minister. There is no truth in such rumours. I have approved the portfolio allocation and sought the Governor’s approval,” he added.
Next: Siddu to gauge mood before next cabinet expansion
Siddu to gauge mood before next cabinet expansion
Bangalore: Despite the clamour for cabinet berths, Chief Minister SidÂdarÂamaiah is likely to adopt a wait-and-watch policy before going for another cabinet expansion.
There are reasons for this, said sources in the Congress party. For one, he wants to gauge the mood of party legislators during the joint legislature session to be held in the second or third week of January.
“If the pressure from MLAs becomes difficult to handle, the CM may request central leaders to allow him to fill the remaining three vacancies,” sources said. If the discontent subsides, he may confine himself to appointing some of them as board and corporation chiefs, sources said.
If the party high command does not clear the proposal, The CM may not expand the cabinet.
There is a more important reason for the CM going slow on the next expansion.
He wants to keep a close watch on powerful Vokkaliga politician and newly inducted minister D.K. Shivakumar who could emerge as an alternative power centre in the cabinet.
“Shivakumar has won round one and got what he wanted. Despite the CM opposing his entry, he made it to the cabinet using his contacts in New Delhi. It will be interesting to see if other Congress MLAs and ministers rally behind Shivakumar to get their work done here and in New Delhi. If Shivakumar emerges as a rival to him, Siddaramaiah will press for another expansion and ensure that the vacancies are filled with his loyalists.
“This will ensure that the balance of power is tilted in his favour,” sources explained.
