Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Jun 18: Coalition partners in the state government, Congress and JD(S), have decided to fill vacancies to the posts of chairpersons of boards and corporations in the state by Saturday June 23. Both the parties are learnt to have agreed to fill 30 vacancies at present, by drawing 20 candidates from Congress and ten from JD(S).

Sources said that both the parties are feeling the heat of dissident activity arising out of anger among legislators about hot getting place in the state ministry. They want to assuage feelings of senior legislators at the earliest before the dissidence harms the government. At the coordination committee meeting, the parties have come to the consensus that out of about 85 posts, only 30 would be filled immediately at the ratio of 2:1. As per information, in the first phase, office bearers of both the parties will not be accommodated but only some of the infuriated legislators and a few out of the 30 MLAs who have been showing total inertia, will be given these posts.

File Photo

The leaders have come to the understanding that leaders heading different wings of the parties, office-bearers and members of legislative council would be elevated in due course after the corporation and board vacancies are filled. Those who are likely to get the nod are MLAs loyal to leaders like Satish Jarkiholi, M B Patil and H K Patil, who are preparing to revolt if not chosen. Giving important posts to loyalists of these leaders, the leadership hopes, will address the dissidence to a large extent. Towards this end, the leaderships of both the parties have held first round of discussions with the angry leaders and collected their opinion about whom the said posts can be given.

Once these posts are filled, Congress party will take up the work of filling the six vacancies in the ministry. Most likely names which could be considered for being made ministers are those of M B Patil, H K Patil and Ramalinga Reddy, who are most likely to make the grade. Two others will be finalized by the high command soon. Congress has plans to keep one vacancy unfilled as it feels this position can be used to address revolt if any that might arise at the last minute.

There is information that several MLCs are angry at the decision to give preference to MLAs in the first phase. Some office bearers too, who say they had worked day and night for the party during the election, are incensed too. They have told the leadership that neglecting the contribution of those who worked for the party can cost the party dear in future as such people might not work hard for party's success in future as before.