Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (EP)
Bengaluru, May 22: Many names are being discussed for the post of Deputy CM in the state while the coalition of Congress-JD(S) is coming to shape. Former minister M B Patil staked his claim for the job urging that the post be assigned to a legislator belonging to North Karnataka.
He however said that the party high command will have a final say even though he aspires to be the Deputy CM. “If a person from southern Karnataka becomes the chief minister, it will be right for a person from northern Karnataka to be the Deputy CM,” he said.
KPCC president Dr G Parameshwar is among the aspirants for the post of Deputy CM.
Patil said that there should be another Deputy CM from northern Karnataka if Parameshwar is made Deputy CM and that they will request former chief minister Siddaramaiah to consider their request.
Patil who led the movement for a separate religion status for Lingayats said that the community deserved sufficient representation in the government as there are 16 Lingayat legislators in it.
All India Veerashaiva Mahasabha who were against the religious minority status to Lingayats has urged that its president and senior congress leader Shyamanur Shivashankarappa be made Deputy CM besides providing five ministerial berths for Veerashaiva- Lingayat legislators.
M B Patil said that he will be happy if he or Shivashankarappa is made Deputy CM.