Bengaluru: In a subtle warning to former ministers rebelling against being dropped from the Cabinet during the recent reshuffle, Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president, Dr G. Parameshwar on Friday stressed there were limits to such expressions of discontent.
“It is natural for such heartburn (among some ministers) after a Cabinet reshuffle. But there is a limit to how far they can go in expressing their displeasure. The Congress is a national party and no one should cross the line in matters of discipline,” he underlined, speaking to reporters here.
Noting that the Chief Minister had tried to talk to the disgruntled leaders, he said he too intended to speak to senior leaders like Mr Srinivasprasad and Mr Ambarish, who had raised the flag of dissidence after being dropped from the Cabinet. “I am confident that things will settle down soon in the party. The Cabinet was reshuffled on the orders of the party high command and according to the wishes of Congress president, Sonia Gandhi and vice president, Rahul Gandhi," he said, assuring, “I will personally talk to Mr Srinivas Prasad and Mr Ambarish. Even when touring abroad, I spoke to them over the telephone." Asked if Mr Prasad was dropped because he was considered inefficient, Dr Parameshwar replied in the negative. “Mr Prasad is our senior most leader and is most efficient. There is no question of anyone being dropped for inefficiency. There are compulsions and there was a need to accommodate a few people in the Cabinet. The CM, in consultation with the high command, acted accordingly,’’ he said.
Refusing to comment on Mr Prasad’s statement that Congress Parliamentary Party leader, Mallikarjun Kharge, had sacrificed the interests of the party to promote his son, he observed that “Both are tall leaders of our party.”
Miffed Ambareesh: Won’t issue statement backing Siddaramaiah
The Congress party’s efforts to make Mandya strongman and former housing minister, M.H. Ambareesh fall in line, seem to have failed.
Hectic parleys initiated by All India Congress Committee secretary (Karnataka in-charge), Dr A. Chellakumar in the last two days, to make Mr Ambareesh hold a press conference and announce his support for Mr Siddaramaiah, did not yield results with Dr Kumar forced to return empty handed.
M.H. Ambareesh
Mr Ambareesh had hit out at the Chief Minister after he was dropped from the Siddaramaiah ministry during the recent reshuffle. He had even declared that he was resigning his MLA seat and had submitted his resignation from the House. His exit had lead to widespread dissatisfaction in the Vokkaliga community as he was one of the few ministers from the community.
Sources said that Dr Kumar tried to pacify Mr Ambareesh, who was dropped during the recent reshuffle, by offering him party posts but the actor-politician refused to accept any of them.
Mr Ambareesh also politely declined Dr Kumar’s request to praise the leadership of Mr Siddaramaiah as part of the party strategy. Instead, he told Dr Kumar that the Chief Minister should hold a press conference and praise him after which he would consider the request put forth by Dr Kumar. The Mandya strongman, who once served as Union minister, neither disclosed his future plans nor responded to Dr Kumar’s suggestions, the sources added.
