Bengaluru: A day after Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy's controversial decision not to give his nod to all the nominees in the Congress party's list for board/corporation posts, the JD(S)-Congress coalition appeared to be on the brink of another crisis with supporters of Yeshwantpur MLA, S.T. Somashekhar threatening to resign and Chikkaballpur MLA, Dr K. Sudhakar lashing out at Mr Kumaraswamy, stating that he has insulted Congress president, Rahul Gandhi by rejecting the list.
Speaking to reporters here, a furious Mr Sudhakar said: "Congress party gives utmost respect to Mr Gandhi's words. The list of boards and corporations was cleared by none other than Mr Gandhi. By rejecting this list, Mr Kumarswamy has insulted the Congress party."
He further emphasised that it is for the party high command to look into the issue, as the recommendations were finalised at the level of Congress president Rahul Gandhi. "It is not a question of personal loss or gain to Sudhakar or Somashekar or Venkataramanaiah. It is the question of Congress' pride. Despite winning 80 seats in the assembly polls, for what good reason should we cede power to the JD(S)?" he questioned angrily.
He demanded that the party look into the matter and decide its future course. "We cannot kneel down helpless but time has come to take an appropriate decision," he said.
Questioning Mr Kumaraswamy's clarification that his appointment was opposed as the Supreme Court guidelines had specified a certain qualification for the post, Mr Sudhakar hit out saying, "If there is a question of qualification, then I am proud to declare that I am more educated than a minister who holds two portfolios but is not even an SSLC pass."
"There are instances where an SSLC failed person is a minister," he added in an oblique reference to PWD minister, H.D. Revanna.
Meanwhile, supporters of Mr Somashekhar including three BBMP corporators and one ZP member reportedly offered to submit their resignations to KPCC president Dinesh Gundurao if their leader's appointment was not cleared.
The Congress had forwarded its list of 19 legislators for posts of chairpersons of boards and corporations to the chief minister soon after the cabinet rejig on December 22, but according to sources, the move had irked the JD(S) leadership as they were reportedly not consulted. The Congress, recommending some of its legislators as heads to boards and corporations that come under departments controlled by JD(S) ministers, had angered the regional party, leading to CM Kumaraswamy delaying the appointments.
