Bengaluru: Discontent in the Congress over denial of cabinet berths to some leaders continues to simmer with veteran Congress leader and Legislative Council member K. Prathapchandra Shetty expressing his displeasure over KPCC President and Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwar’s remarks targeting him during the Cabinet expansion exercise.
Wellwishers and supporters of Mr Shetty had met Dr Parameshwar and requested him to induct their leader into the cabinet. But Dr. Parameshwar had chided them wondering how they could demand a cabinet berth for Mr Shetty when the Congress had been routed in the Assembly elections in both Udupi and Dakshina Kannada districts. Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, Mr Shetty defended himself saying, “I have never demanded a Cabinet berth, it is inappropriate on my part to demand a post when the party was demolished in Udupi and Dakshina Kannada districts. Even when the party won 13 seats in my district in 2013, I did not lobby for a minister’s post”, he said.
“I personally requested AICC leader Oscar Fernandes not to suggest my name to the party leadership even after my supporters and district Congress leaders insisted. In 35 years of public life, I have not lobbied for any post. Despite knowing about my stature, the party president has scolded my supporters. I don’t know under what circumstances he said this but his statement has hurt me”, he added.
Meanwhile Mangaluru Bunts Parents Association and Kundapura Bunts Association has registered a protest against Dr Parameshwar.
