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Rejig: North Karnataka the priority?

Sources said in the event of legislators from south Karnataka not making it as ministers on December 22.

Bengaluru: Will Congress legislators from north Karnataka, in particular Mumbai Karnataka region, walk away with a lion's share of the berth during next week's expansion of the cabinet?

Sources in the party said the top brass has to contend with over 20 strong contenders-three legislators for each of the six posts of ministers out of eight vacancies. Though legislators from both northern and southern districts of the state are lobbying for a place in the cabinet, those from north Karnataka are likely to be chosen as part of the strategy to win more Lok Sabha seats and counter the influence of BJP leaders during next next year's elections. "Since the posts of CM, DCM, Speaker, KPCC president, leader of the upper House, and Chairman have been occupied by leaders elected from constituencies in south and coastal Karnataka, it seems highly unlikely that the party will pick MLAs from the south now. In order to neutralize the BJP's prospects in north Karnataka, the party may pick more Lingayats from northern districts," sources added.

Sources said in the event of legislators from south Karnataka not making it as ministers on December 22, they would not be able to rebel and quit and subsequently cross over to the BJP as the Opposition party lacks a strong support base in southern districts. "In north Karnataka, MLAs can take risky decisions keeping in mind caste and regional sentiment. So, even if the party accommodates north Karnataka MLAs, those from the south Karnataka will sulk but cannot afford to take the risk of resigning from the party as their reelection in the south, where the BJP is relatively weak, will be difficult. So, the party can trap south Karnataka MLA by denying the cabinet berths," sources explained.

A couple of former ministers from south Karnataka, particularly Bengaluru, have been lobbying to secure a berth in the cabinet during the last phase of expansion of the six-month-old ministry.

Expansion: Siddu for Delhi after session

Senior Congress leaders led by former CM siddaramaiah are expected to leave for Delhi on December 21 to meet party president, Rahul Gandhi and set the much awaited cabinet expansion in motion,

With Mr Gandhi being busy with the selection of CMs for Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chattisgarh, he has asked the Karnataka leaders to come to Delhi after the Belagavi session to finalise the new faces to be inducted into the cabinet, according to sources.

Besides Mr Siddaramaiah , Deputy Chief MM Dr G Parameshwar, KPCC president, Dinesh Gundurao and Energy Minister, D.K. Shivakumar, will be part of the team scheduled to meet Mr Gandhi. The leaders could leave for Delhi from Belagavi after the last day of the winter session or take a special flight from Bengaluru to Delhi.

Happy with his party wresting three states from the BJP, the Congress president reportedly wants a similar performance in the Lok Sabha elections and is keen on inducting senior leaders into the cabinet, who could boost the party's prospects. As Karnataka has 28 Lok Sabha seats, the Congress president wants to maximize the party's chances of winning as many of them as possible and dislodge the BJP- led NDA government at the Centre.

( Source : Deccan Chronicle. )
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