Bengaluru: The appointment of district-in-charge ministers seems to have opened a Pandora's box with several Congress ministers seething with anger against their party leaders for letting them down while ministers belonging to the Janata Dal (S) have managed to get important districts.
Congress ministers considered loyal to former CM and Coordination Committee Chairman Siddaramaiah are reportedly holding Deputy Chief Minister Dr G Parameshwar and Water Resources Minister D.K. Shivakumar responsible for denying them the in-charge responsibility of important districts. They have gone to the extent of claiming that there was 'match-fixing' between Dr Parameshwar and Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy in the allotment of district in-charge posts. What has left them surprised is the fact that Dr Parameshwar has been placed in charge of Bengaluru city plus Tumakuru, his home district while Major Industries and Science and Technology Minister K.J. George, who had served as Bengaluru City Development Minister in the Siddaramaiah Cabinet, now finds himself in charge of Chikkamagalur district.
Food and Civil Supplies and Minority Development Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan who won the Chamarajpet seat in Bengaluru, has been placed in charge of Haveri district though Forest Minister R Shankar was elected to the Assembly from Ranebennur in Haveri defeating former Speaker K.B. Koliwad.
A few ministers who spoke to Deccan Chronicle on the condition of anonymity said the appointment of district-in-charge ministers clearly indicates the role played by Dr Parameshwar and Mr Shivakumar who do not enjoy a too cosy relationship with Mr Siddaramaiah. They felt Dr Parameshwar, should have allowed Mr George, MLA from Sarvagna Nagar in Bengaluru, to become in-charge of Bengaluru City because of his experience in handling Bengaluru related issues.
A number of projects were evolved during Mr George's tenure with his knowledge of the state capital helping him connect with netizens. Sources said Dr Parameshwar rarely goes out for a physical inspection of ongoing works but prefers to hold review meetings in Vidhana Soudha. In fact, Small Scale Industries Minister S.R. Srinivas (Vasu) wanted to become in-charge minister of Tumakuru but he too was left disappointed as he was given Davangere district.
