Bengaluru: ‘Dinner Politics’ by a section of ruling Congress MLAs seems to have played a major role in Chief Minister, Siddaramaiah conceding their demand to appoint party leaders to various state-run boards and corporations.
The process of finalising these appointments is likely to be completed in a week's time and as many as 700 party leaders are likely to benefit from this single move. Many ruling party MLAs were upset with Mr Siddaramaiah for delaying the appointments for nearly three years, especially even after AICC general secretary, Digvijay Singh had directed him on more than three occasions in as many years. Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, a senior leader in the CM's camp disclosed that Mr Siddaramaiah and KPCC president, Dr G. Parameshwar will be meeting on Monday evening to discuss and finalise the list of candidates as the first step.
"Mr Siddaramaiah feels that this is the right time for him to complete the process as many MLAs will have to start knocking his doors to get their supporters plum posts in various boards and corporations.
At present, the government can fill 700 such vacancies at one go," the source said. According to the source, Mr Siddaramaiah has already prepared a list of his own while the KPCC president too is ready with his list, which would be discussed and the final list prepared during a meeting at a hotel Monday night.
‘ACB can probe me’
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said that the Anti-Corruption Bureau had powers to investigate complaints against the Chief Minister too.
When his attention was drawn to the fact that first complaint in the newly formed Anti-Corruption Bureau was against him over the Hublot watch issue, Mr Siddaramaiah said the propaganda that the Anti-Corruption Bureau had no powers to register cases against the Chief Minister was false.
“They can register and investigate cases. Let them investigate. The truth will come out,” the Chief Minister said.
