Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (MS)

Bengaluru, Jun 10: M B Patil, MLA of Congress who was unhappy over not gettting a ministerial position and had demanded the post of deputy chief minister (DCM) was told in no uncertain terms by the Congress high command that it was not possible to create one more DCM post. He has been assured of a ministerial berth in the second installment of the expansion of the present cabinet.

M B Patil has been warned to stop all activities, including conducting meetings with disgruntled MLAs, that is causing embarrassment to the coalition government. The Congress high command has assured that it would fill the six positions that are vacant at present in the ministry as soon as possible.

Meanwhile, it is learnt that former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda, Congress supremo Sonia Gandhi, and chief minister H D Kumaraswamy held a discussion with Rahul Gandhi on the political developments in the state since the coalition government has assumed power and in turn, Rahul also held a discussion with senior leaders of the Congress party of Karnataka.

Kumaraswamy has also had talks over the phone with the Congress MLAs, who are deprived of a ministerial berth in the first list, and assured them that they would get opportunities in future and he would be with them in the works related to their constituencies.

D K Shivakumar, minister of water resources and medical education, under the directions of Congress high command met H K Patil, who is also one of the dejected MLAs, and consoled him. Senior leader Jaffer Shariff also met H K Patil and pacified him.

M B Patil meets Rahul Gandhi

M B Patil, who rushed to New Delhi on the call from Congress high command was told by Rahul Gandhi that his demand to be included in the ministry was reasonable but asking to be made the DCM was not. It is learnt that M B Patil has informed the high command that even if he does not get the ministerial berth, he would be okay with the presidentship of KPCC also.

As per the information available from sources, Rahul Gandhi has told M B Patil that political polarisation is going on throughout the country with the upcoming Lok Sabha elections of 2019 and certain decisions have been taken with respect to the state of Karnataka also. It is very important that the coalition government runs without any hiccups. Patil has been asked to take the leadership of the Congress party in the state of Karnataka and work for organizing the party, especially in the northern part of the state.

Meeting of disgruntled MLAs of Congress

A meeting of dejected Congress MLAs including Satish Jarkiholi is slated to be held on Monday, June 11. It is learnt that the details of the meeting held with Rahul Gandhi will be conveyed to the unhappy MLAs and further course of action will be declared.

"Siddaramaiah can bring down the coalition in no time"

In the midst of all the confusion that is prevailing in the Congress party of Karnataka, Narayan, MLA from Basavakalyana constituency, has said that if former CM Siddaramaiah wants the coalition government will collapse within two minutes. "No one can do any harm to Siddaramaiah. If he is not there, the government will not exist. He cannot be ignored," Narayan said.

Dinesh Gundu Rao to be made KPCC president?

If M B Patil does not accept the position of KPCC president, then Dinesh Gundu Rao is likely to be given that post. During the oath-taking of the ministry itself, the names of Dinesh Gundu Rao and Krishna Byregowda were making the rounds for the post of KPCC president. However, as Krishna Byregowda has been made the minister in the HDK cabinet, rumours are making rounds that Dinesh Gundu Rao would be certain to be given the coveted post. However, there is a possibility that two people, one each from Dalit and backward communities will be made working presidents of KPCC

M B Patil, who is leading the pack of disgruntled MLAs of Congress party said, "I have held a discussion with the leaders of the party. Once I return to Bengaluru, I will take the next course of action after discussing with the rest 15 or 20 MLAs who are with me. There is no question of deserting the Congress at all."

Krishna Byregowda, minister for rural development and panchayat raj said, "I am trying everything possible to resolve the conflict. The process is under way. No concrete decision has been arrived at as of now."