CM Goes Soft On Disgruntled MLAs, Succeeds To Pacify Them

BENGALURU: After making an assertive statement to accept resignation of disgruntled MLAs in a matter of few minutes over missing ministerial berths, Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Wednesday adopted a soft stance against disgruntled MLAs in particular Vijayangar MLA (Bengaluru) M. Krishnappa and his son Priya Krishna, presenting Govindarajanagar of Bengaluru.

A ministerial aspirant Krishnappa was denied a ministerial berth in the cabinet expansion on Monday and a miffed Krishnappa was contemplating on resignation to the post of MLA. His supporters took to streets against Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar over denial of ministerial berth to Krishnappa and staged a road blockade in Vijayanagar of Bengaluru city. Supporters threatened to resign from party posts hurling abuses at Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar.

On Wednesday, Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar arrived at the residence of Krishnappa in Vijaynagar and held a meeting with the disgruntled MLA in a bid to pacify him. A day before, newly sworn-in ministers N. Cheluvarayaswamy and H.C. Balakrishna made an attempt to pacify Krishnappa.

Krishnappa told reporters protests and resignations by his supporters were voluntary and they had not consulted him before hitting the streets in protest. Cheluvarayaswamy exuded confidence in Krishnappa falling in line.

To meet Krishnappa at his residence, D.K. Shivakumar was accompanied by general secretary of All India Congress Committee and Karnataka party incharge Randeep Singh Surjewala, Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan, Kunigal MLA Dr Ranganath and other leaders. On arrival, the Chief Minister was greeted by Priya Krishna offering him a bouquet.

Earlier, Shivakumar spoke to Indi MLA Yeshvanthray Gouda Patil who resigned as MLA after he missed ministerial berth to pacify him to withdraw his resignation. He later withdrew the resignation. Shivakumar also contacted disgruntled Gubbi MLA S.R. Srinivas and Dinesh Gundu Rao to pacify them.