Congress intensifies outreach to disgruntled MLAs fearing their absence from Monsoon Session
The ruling Congress, which has been in damage-control mode to mollify disgruntled senior leaders and legislators who have not been accommodated in the Cabinet, fears
The ruling Congress, which has been in damage-control mode to mollify disgruntled senior leaders and legislators who have not been accommodated in the Cabinet, fears that some of them may remain absent from the Monsoon Session beginning next week. Though no decision has been taken on staying away, discussions on the issue have already begun. “The absence of legislators from the House would embarrass the government and provide fodder to the Opposition. Some legislators want to send a message to the party that they are upset. However, a decision is likely to be taken only on the eve of August 13,” sources aware of the developments said. There could be outreach from the government through offers of party positions or posts in boards and corporations to change the minds of such legislators, sources added Meeting with Surjewala On Thursday, Congress general secretary in charge of Karnataka Randeep Singh Surjewala met H.K. Patil and A.
Krishnappa in an effort to mollify them. “Both have been requested to exercise restraint and patience. They are hoping that the party heeds their demand,” a leader said, adding that both are deeply upset and view their exclusion from the Cabinet as a “public humiliation”. Meanwhile, former Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao, who also missed out on a Cabinet berth, met Mr. Patil on Thursday. Sources said the discussion revolved around their exclusion and future possibilities. Another source said the party was also reaching out to individual legislators who are upset through Ministers and other legislators who wield influence in their communities or regions. “One Lingayat legislator from North Karnataka was mollified after a senior Lingayat Minister, who has sway over his sub-community, spoke to him,” a source said.
Portfolio challenge Even as party leaders, including B.K. Hariprasad and Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, are engaged in reaching out to disgruntled legislators, sources said the Congress is now facing the challenge of allocating portfolios to the 19 newly inducted Ministers. Three Ministers — K.H. Muniyappa, Krishna Byre Gowda and Ramalinga Reddy — had created a flutter over portfolio allocation earlier, and sources said a similar situation is likely to recur this time as well. Meanwhile, Basavaraj Rayareddi has sought the Finance portfolio, while Vijayanand Kashappanavar has sought a “public-connect portfolio.” Gayatri to take oath as MLC A.V. Gayatri Shanthegowda, whose inclusion in the list of Cabinet probables created a flutter and reportedly upset former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, will take oath as a Member of Legislative Council (MLC) on Friday.
The BriefWire