Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SP)

Udupi, Jun 17: Three Congress legislators from the district have reached New Delhi a day before Siddaramaiah presumably to cement their positions in the new list of state ministers. They have been in constant touch with the top leaders with whom they are close, in an effort to brighten their chances of making it to the final list.

Among them, Vinay Kumar Sorake, who is being projected by some of the media to lose his cabinet berth, is in the country's capital to retain his seat. As per caste calculations, it is said, Sorake is slated to sacrifice his seat in favour of senior leader, Kagodu Thimmappa, as both of the belong to the same caste. MLAs, Pramod Madhwaraj from here and Gopal Poojary from Byndoor are trying to bag ministerial berths.

If Pramod Madhwaraj gets ministry, Gopal Poojary might try for the post of parliamentary secretary, it is said. If Kagodu loses out on the basis of age factor, Sorake and Gopal Poojary may be in the race for a seat in the new ministry. Madhwaraj, it is said, hopes to fill in the void which is likely to be created if Baburao Chinchansur belonging to his caste is dropped.

As far as Dakshina Kannada district is concerned, the district is represented by three ministers. Some expect this number by pruned by one. At the same time, a section of Congress activists have raised demand to give ministerial berth to Vasant Bangera.

Sources also say that senior MLC, Pratapchandra Shetty, may be elevated to the post of the chairman of legislative council if rumours about present incumbent, D H Shankaramurthy, being made a governor comes true. Because, in that case, the total strength of BJP and JDS in the council will be shorter by one seat as compared to that of Congress with this elevation.