Siddaramaiah Denies Cabinet Reshuffle Link to Dinner
Karnataka CM says his dinner meeting with ministers is routine, amid speculation over “November revolution” reshuffle
BENGALURU: Speculation is rife over what was cooking at a dinner hosted by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah for his Cabinet colleagues, ahead of the expected rejig, at his official residence ‘Kaveri’ on Monday. It was also claimed by sources that the replacement of the Chief Minister was on the table.
Sources told Deccan Chronicle as many as 15 ministers are likely to be dropped, and the dinner meeting was seen as an attempt to soothe ruffled feathers. Siddaramaiah said earlier in the day had said: “Reshuffle has nothing to do with hosting a dinner.”
The dinner attended by Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar and other Cabinet colleagues, barring three or four who had taken prior permission to stay away, official sources said.
Health minister Dinesh Gundu Rao said he was “curious” over the ‘menu’ (discussion) at the dinner. Home minister Dr G. Parameshwar observed: “There is nothing special about the dinner. Siddaramaiah usually hosts dinner for ministers once in 6 months.”
After the dinner, labour minister Santosh Lad said it was a “casual dinner meeting.” “Last year too, he (CM) had called. This year he has also called. Every year he calls,” he told reporters. On the Cabinet rejig, Lad said it was Lad said for the Chief Minister, the Deputy CM and the high command to decide.
Regarding the reported change of Chief Minister, Parameshwar said “We will abide by the decision of high command” and stated “Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar is the frontrunner to become the Chief Minister. Other MLAs and ministers’ are next in the race.”
BJP MP and former deputy chief minister Govind Karjol alleged the dinner was hosted to fix ministers’ their quota of funding to meet election expenses of Bihar. BJP MLC Chalavadi Narayanswamy said the dinner marked the the start of collection (money) for the Bihar elections.
