Bengaluru: The dinner hosted by former chief minister, Siddaramaiah on Wednesday night turned out to be a platform for lambasting Janata Dal(S) leaders including party supremo, H.D. Deve Gowda and Chief Minister, H.D. Kumaraswamy besides PWD minister, H.D. Revanna for ‘too much interference.’ The ministers who had spoken earlier about the common traits of secular parties like JD(S) and Congress, complained to Mr Siddaramaiah on three issues- transfers of officials, allocation of district in-charge responsibility and the separate statehood issue.
A large number of ministers particularly from Bengaluru complained about the transfer of officials saying they were not consulted before the transfers were effected. Sources in the JD (S) admitted that the MLAs and ministers felt more 'irritated' about the transfers because the officials play an important role in ensuring the ministers and MLAs get their work done.
So, if a new officer is posted, the possibility of he or she taking orders from the local MLA or the minister, is very remote, sources said highlighting the reason why the transfers of officials had become an issue. Almost all Congress ministers concurred with Mr Siddaramaiah that they should be cautious about the North Karnataka statehood issue because it was the Congress party which might lose more base than the JD(S)if ministers made any adverse comments. Mr Siddaramaiah was reportedly upset with Mr Kumaraswamy for not consulting him while deciding on the list of district in-charge ministers. Sources said he has decided to raise all these isues in the co-ordination committee meeting which will be convened very soon.
