BENGALURU: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s gamble to remain decidedly cool instead of seeking the approval of central leaders of Congress to reshuffle his ministry could boomerang as all MPs from the ruling party have joined hands to haul him over the coals.
The MPs met at the residence of former Union minister M. Veerappa Moily in Delhi on Wednesday and reportedly decided to mount pressure on Mr Siddaramaiah to mend his ways or face the consequences.
They were complaining about lack of recognition of their supporters through appointments to various state-owned boards and corporations, and delay in sanction of funds for various developmental works proposed by MPs. In addition, they were miffed about Kuruba leaders and those of erstwhile Janata Parivar calling the shots in the government.
Sources in Congress said for the first time, party MPs from the state virtually rebelled against their Chief Minister. “Hardly few supporters of MPs were accommodated during appointment of directors to various boards and corporations. Many projects recommended by MPs got measly funds.
Therefore, the MPs felt humiliated. That’s why they decided to meet and express their displeasure,” sources added. They even appointed D.K. Suresh, younger sibling of energy minister D K Shivakumar, as convener of MPs’ forum.
Sources, however, ruled out the possibility of these MPs meeting top central leaders, in particular party president Sonia Gandhi, to lodge a complaint against Mr Siddaramaiah but would wait and watch developments in national politics.
“If the political situation is comfortable for them, they would not mind lodging a complaint with AICC leaders,” sources added.
