Yathindra Assured Cabinet Berth
Yathindra told reporters in New Delhi: “When I met Rahul Gandhi last time, he assured me in a face‑to‑face meeting that I would be inducted into the cabinet. I’m hopeful of making it into the cabinet.
BENGALURU: As many as 50 ministerial aspirants are keeping their fingers crossed on whether they will make it to the ministry in the new state government coming into existence on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, a key decision‑maker, reportedly assured Congress MLC Dr Yathindra Siddaramaiah, son of the outgoing chief minister, of a Cabinet berth.
Yathindra told reporters in New Delhi: “When I met Rahul Gandhi last time, he assured me in a face‑to‑face meeting that I would be inducted into the cabinet. I’m hopeful of making it into the cabinet.” Ruling out any ambition for the Deputy Chief Minister’s post, Yathindra said: “Whatever portfolio is given to me, I will be happy to discharge.”
On his father’s demand for a coordination committee, Yathindra said: “It was only a suggestion and a suitable decision will be taken after weighing its merits and demerits.” Yathindra won from Varuna in Mysuru in the 2018 election and vacated it for his father Siddaramaiah in 2023. The party rewarded Yathindra with an MLC seat.
However, Yathindra came under criticism over his alleged interference in the governance of some ministries. He is said to have meddled in the affairs of the Energy department and initiated the transfer of a top bureaucrat. Angered by the interference, energy minister K.J. George threatened to resign, though the matter was later settled.
A couple of MLAs also alleged Yathindra interfered in the affairs of their constituencies, taking advantage of his father’s position. Congress leaders said: “The move to induct Yathindra into the cabinet is to please Siddaramaiah. Siddaramaiah’s active role in party activities would be ensured only if his son is kept happy in the ministry.”