Bengaluru: Several peeved aspirants of both coalition parties sarcastically described the swearing-in ceremony held to accommodate two independent legislators in the cabinet as a simple event, and defended the absence of several senior leaders and legislators at the ceremony here on Friday.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the oath-taking ceremony, leaders belonging to both parties remarked: “We planned a simple swearing-in ceremony following to the demise of Dr Girish Karnad. So, we could not inform everyone.”
When their attention was drawn to absence of state JD (S) president , A. H. Vishwanth, who too was an aspirant, and took a decision to meet BJP leader, V. Srinivasprasad, rather than attend the event, the leaders conceded, “Yes, few of them are upset, but Mr Vishwanath is meeting his old friend. It cannot be construed that he is upset about the expansion,” remarked one leader, evoking laughter among media persons.
One Congress legislator, Dr K Sudhakar, however, was vocal and vent his ire against party leaders for not inducting him into the cabinet.
“I was assured a cabinet berth by Congress president, Rahul Gandhi. I do not know whom to meet and seek justice. From now onwards, I will not meet anyone to lobby for a berth,” he added.
Senior Janata Dal (Secular) leader, Basavaraj Horatti, another aspirant, said he was upset by the fact that he missed the opportunity once again.
“I also know that everyone (aspirants) cannot be accommodated. I am not upset with the coalition partners decision to induct two independent legislators as ministers. This is done to bring more stability to the government,” he added.
