IAS officer's transfer triggers coalition rift, Congmen look to panel chief Siddu

KALABURAGI: The transfer of an IAS officer has become a bone of contention between ruling Congress and JD(S) leaders with Congressmen planning to take up this issue with Coordination Committee Chairman and former CM Siddaramaiah. Last week, CM H.D. Kumaraswamy had effected the transfer of eight IAS officers and appointed Mr Kari Gowda, a senior KAS officer who got promoted to IAS, as DC of Bengaluru Rural district. This has angered a few Congress legislators of Bengaluru Rural District and Chikballapura MP M Veerappa Moily.

This is not the first time the coalition partner-Congress has voiced its reservation over transfers- Urban Development Minister U.T. Khader took strong objection to the transfer of a few officers to his department without consulting him. Though, the minister did not make it a big issue, he reportedly expressed his discontent to his close friends. Speaking on the Kari Gowda issue, Mr MTB Nagaraj, Congress MLA from Hosakote Assembly constituency, told Deccan Chronicle that he along with two other Congress legislators and Mr Moily had requested the CM to appoint a certain officer as DC of Bengaluru Rural district.

But, the CM had posted an officer who was reportedly close to him and had a soft corner for the JD(S). "We are hurt as the CM did not consider our request and posted an officer of his choice. This will be brought to the notice of Mr Siddaramaiah soon. Local legislators are consulted as a courtesy before a IAS officer is transferred as deputy commissioner and Mr Kumaraswamy by not doing this, has shown he is not following the coalition dharma. What's the guarantee that an officer who owes allegiance to the CM will implement works suggested by local MLAs,” Mr Nagaraj wondered.

According to Congress sources, many leaders are unhappy with the manner in which Mr Kumaraswamy is treating the coalition partner. This had given rise to a feeling that the CM is piggy riding on the Congress to implement his agenda. This was discussed in the recent CLP meeting when Mr Siddaramaiah had promised to protect the interests of party MLAs. But, nothing has happened since then.

Sources admitted that the style of functioning of the bureaucracy has changed after the new government took over with officers showing more loyalty to JD(S) leaders. However, the Congress legislators are not in a position to air their grievances as it would be considered indiscipline and show-cause notices served on them. Besides, Mr Kumaraswamy's direct channel of communication with Congress President Rahul Gandhi has forced them to suffer in silence, sources added.