Triangular fight for Karnataka Home Ministry: DKS, KJ George or Mahadevappa?

Bengaluru: Who will be the state’s all powerful home minister replacing Dr G. Parameshwar, who has got an extension as KPCC president?

There are three names currently doing the rounds - public works minister, Dr H.C. Mahadevappa, energy minister D.K. Shivakumar and Bengaluru development minister, K.J. George, who incidentally had handled the portfolio a year ago.

With Dr Parameshwar set to make his exit from the post once the current Legislature session is over, the contenders have started upping the pressure for the number two slot in the ministry. As was the case with the KPCC post, it will be Chief Minister Siddaramaiah who will have the final say on this too. Sources in the Congress confide that Dr Mahadevappa, a SC leader, is a hot favourite as he is close to the CM though he may face opposition from home-grown Congressmen, being a former Janata pariwar leader.

Supporters of Shivakumar in his constituency, Kanakapura, who are already celebrating, aver that their leader will definitely get the home portfolio as ‘consolation prize’ after he lost out in the race for KPCC chief to Dr Parameshwar.

He may have to contend with formidable opposition from the CM’s camp, who may not like to see him in the home minister’s saddle in an election year.

But sources say that if the CM has his way with the party high command, it will be K.J. George again as home minister, however reluctant he may be to give up the Bengaluru development portfolio, having won from a city constituency. George is an original Congressman like Shivakumar and his appointment will help send the right message to the minority community, said sources, adding that it may also give more leeway to the CM’s security advisor Kempaiah.

If things do not go according to plan, the CM may play safe by retaining the portfolio with him, sources added.