Karnataka cabinet rejig: Siddaramaiah wins this one too

Bengaluru: The developments over cabinet reshuffle in New Delhi has left many loyal Congressmen flummoxed back home. Many legislators and ministers who were not happy with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's style of functioning were under the impression that his wings would be clipped by the high command. But Saturday's developments in Delhi proved otherwise and seem to have given a boost to Kuruba strongman's image.

On Friday night, party top leaders had sent back Mr Siddaramaiah, asking him to evolve a consensus on his list of ministers. He worked behind the scenes to make it happen and got the blessings of the top leadership to go ahead with the reshuffle. The chief minister's first list did not have the names of Mr M. Krishnappa, Mr Kagodu Thimmappa and Mr M.R. Seetharam, but were recommended by the party seniors, sources said.

But the biggest surprise for his detractors was the high command's approval to Mr Siddaramaiah's plan to drop 14 ministers and induct the same number. Till Friday evening, even the CM's camp was not sure whether the high command would accept his plan. But, when he disclosed it before party president Sonia Gandhi during Saturday's meeting, she did not oppose it. Mr Siddaramaiah operated cleverly by  using the clout of AICC general secretary in charge of Karnataka, Digvijay Singh, to get an appointment with Mrs Gandhi and also get the plan approved, the sources said.

In the final list, Mr Siddaramaiah had a say in dropping 7-8 ministers and picking a similar number, which proved his dominance in the party. Sources said that he might have a say in the appointment of new KPCC chief too, sources said.

Jarkiholi exit sends shockwaves in Belagavi
The possibility of  Small Scale Industries Minister, Satish Jarkiholi making way for his brother, Ramesh Jarkiholi  in the cabinet has sent shock waves in  political circles here as the former has dominated the district’s politics for over a decade.

But seeming unfazed, Mr Satish Jarkiholi said he was prepared to accept the high command’s decision and wished his brother well as minister. His supporters, however, made their displeasure clear, protesting  in his hometown of Gokak and Belagavi and calling his ouster an injustice done  to a popular and hard working minister. 

According to sources, a group of ministers close to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who had successfully ruined his relationship with Mr Satish some years ago, lobbied for Mr Ramesh Jarkiholi, though he is not a popular leader of Belagavi and managed to have him inducted.

But many believe the removal of Mr Satish from the Cabinet could prove a setback for the Congress  in Belagavi where most  party candidates in the past depended on him for their victories.

“It is unfair if Satish is being sacked because two of its candidates were defeated in the recent council polls from north west teachers and graduates constituencies. He will now stay away from mainstream politics in Belagavi and this could be a big gain for the BJP," said a close associate of the minister,  K Ravi.

Kimmane takes FB route, thanks friends
Primary and Secondary Education Minister,  Kimmane Rathnakar, who could face the axe in Sunday’s Cabinet reshuffle, took to Facebook to respond.
Thanking his friends for worrying about his future in the ministry for the past two or three days, he said he had received many phonecalls and messages from his well wishers.

“ I am grateful for their concern… My opponents have called me a white collared politician and other names. But I fought and won.  I am not  interested in retaining power,” the minister wrote.

“ I have tried my best to ensure justice apolitically, but some decisions may have been indigestible to some persons. I came to be known as egoistic because of my straightforwardness. But  I also got  pats on the back for being fair and sincere. The system has given me opportunities. I have done my job responsibly and I express my heartfelt thanks to those who helped  my progress,” he  added, signing off his FB post with, “Your eternal friend, Kimmane Rathnakar.”
The minister, was not available for comment when contacted.