Board posts: CM Siddaramaiah will all the way

Bengaluru: In what could be termed as a strong signal to rivals within the ruling party that he calls the shots, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is likely to constitute a committee comprising senior leaders to “select” candidates to head state-owned boards and corporations. Sources in the party said such a move would not only help reward his supporters with plum posts but also thwart any attempt by senior central leaders of the party to recommend candidates of their choice.  

Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, a senior leader observed that Mr Siddaramaiah, who successfully accomplished his task of putting off an expansion of his cabinet indefinitely, plans to isolate Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president Dr G. Parameshwar from the selection process. "His main objective to set up such a committee itself is clear indication that he will take control of the party through other means,” the leader added.

Though Dr Parameshwar has gone on record that appointments to boards and corporations must be shared  70:30 ratio between party  workers and MLAs, the  committee could violate such norms.   "This would be his first open assault on Dr. Parameshwar as Mr. Siddaramaiah seems to have decided that he wants to show who the  boss is," the leader added. Sources said Siddaramaiah could decide to fill less that 50 per cent of the posts of chairpersons of boards and corporations in first phase. “Even this process, he may start only after  Deepavali,” the sources added.