Bengaluru: Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy's suggestion that some ministers of his party make way for induction of independents into the cabinet as part of a strategy to ensure stability of the coalition government was greeted with deafening silence at a meeting of the legislature party at the leader's residence on Tuesday.
None of his cabinet colleagues reacted when Mr Kumaraswamy said it would be appropriate for two ministers to step down and pave the wave for accommodating two independents in the interest of the party and government. A question in lighter vein by A H Vishwanath, who quit as state unit president, evoked similar response. Public works minister H D Revanna, however, offered to quit immediately when Mr Vishwanath, in jest, asked the minister to lead by example. The issue, however, fizzed out as top leaders said the date for expansion of the cabinet was not finalized.
During the meeting, CLP leader, Siddaramaiah, and tourism minister Sa Ra Mahesh came under attack with many blaming the former chief minister for the defeat of patriarch H D Deve Gowda in Tumakuru. Mr Gowda said he realized at the last moment that he was led into a trap in Tumakuru by Mr Siddaramaiah. The minister was hauled over hot coal for not taking Mr Vishwanath into confidence with many legislators charging that he was responsible for the state unit president's decision to step down on Tuesday. Mr Sa Ra Mahesh, however, maintained stoic silence through the meeting.
Deve Gowda appealed to Vishwanath, requesting him to withdraw his resignation.
