BENGALURU: The cabinet was evidently divided on Bengaluru development minister K.J. George continuing in the cabinet despite the growing clamour for his resignation in the aftermath of deputy superintendent of police MK Ganapati’s suicide.
At the cabinet meeting on Wednesday, Chief Minister, Siddaramaiah, could not repeat his success story of the morning—he ensured that none raised the issue at the Congress Legislature Party—as some senior ministers criticized him saying “while sacking ministers, you did not even think twice and reconsider your decision. You said they have to go. But when it comes to protecting Anjaneya and George you go an extra mile, why? You can drop him and keep the slot open till the investigation is complete. Have you not done the same for Santosh Lad?" a senior minister reportedly asked the Chief Minister.
Meanwhile, Mr George who is facing a Herculean task of redeeming his reputation, is likely to leave for New Delhi to meet central leaders of Congress. While some in the party said he would resign soon after his return, others felt that central leaders would come to his rescue.
The cabinet meeting also witnessed a heated debate over the anti-supestition bill and decided to refer it to a cabinet sub-committee headed by revenue minister Kagodu Thimmappa.
Though Mr Siddaramaiah was keen to get the bill approved and place it in the legislature on Thursday, he could not do so on account of stiff opposition from some of senior ministers. A section of senior ministers not only managed to oppose this but also got the bill to be referred to a newly constituted cabinet sub-committee.
The committee headed by Mr Thimmappa includes health and family welfare minister Ramesh Kumar, forest minister Ramanath Rai, energy minister D.K. Shivakumar, law minister T.B. Jayachandra and social welfare minister H. Anjaneya.
In another decision, the cabinet decided to allot 470 acres of KIADB land to IIT in Dharwad and also to release Rs 15 crores for a new scheme to be launched for primary school children.
CM defends George at CLP meeting
Chief Minister, Siddaramaiah, strongly appealed to his party MLAs at the Congress Legislature Party meeting on Wednesday to back Bengaluru Development Minister, K. J. George accused of harassing police officer, M K Ganapathy and driving him to suicide, on the floor of the legislature, according to sources.
A senior party leader said Mr Siddaramaiah made it clear that no other mater would be discussed at the CLP meeting. “It was evident from his opening remarks that he would not allow anyone to speak on any matter other than Mr George. As soon as the MLAs realized his one point agenda for the meeting, most left half way through after assuring their support for the minister. As a result the CLP meeting was wrapped up in less than 30 minutes,” he said.
The Chief Minister himself reportedly spoke for almost 20 minutes in strong defense of Mr George, saying there was no incriminating evidence against him and explaining that he had himself chosen to defend him despite the Opposition parties’ demand for his resignation.
He also advised the MLAs from going to the media after the CLP meeting, sources said. Consequently most legislators, who willingly spoke off the record in the assembly and council lobbies on Monday and Tuesday, remained tightlipped about the outcome of the CLP meeting on Wednesday.
