Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (MS)

Bengaluru, Dec 27: Before the dissent regarding the extension of cabinet dies down, state Congress is facing one more crisis in the form of portfolio distribution. The meeting in this regard, that was conducted under the leadership of state in-charge Venugopal on Wednesday, failed to arrive at a consensus and the issue has now spiralled into the court of Congress high command in New Delhi.

The main reason for the crisis is the adamant nature of senior ministers M B Patil and Satish Jarkiholi, who have been inducted into the cabinet newly, who are hell bent on taking the reigns of water resources or home and rural development and panchayat raj portfolios.

As there was no consensus in the distribution of portfolios, K C Venugopal left for Delhi as per the advise of the senior party leaders of the state and not it seems AICC president Rahul Gandhi who has to sort out the issue. Only after getting the instruction from Delhi, the list of portfolio redistribution will go to the Raj Bhavan. Most probably the official information with regards to the portfolio distribution will be done on Thursday December 27.

DKS demands energy portfolio

D K Shivakumar, who is holding the water resources and medical education portfolios at present is demanding for energy department portfolio if he has to give up the water resources department, which is demanded by M B Patil. At present, the energy department is with JD (S). It is learnt that K C Venugopal, state in-charge of Congress has spoken to H D Kumaraswamy with regards to this issue over the telephone but could not get any reaction from the chief minister.

Krishna Byre Gowda refuses to do away with RDPR portfolio

Senior minister Satish Jarkiholi has demanded Rural Development and Panchayat Raj (RDPR) portfolio to be given to him. However, minister Krishna Byre Gowda, who is presently holding this department has refused to give up the same and has said that he is ready to offer the additional portfolio of law and parliamentary affairs which is also held by him.

Eshwar Khandre, working president of KPCC, had urged to give the Waqf or minority development portfolio to Rahim Khan, who is elected from Northern Karnataka. However, even K C Venugopal has not agreed to take the department away from Zameer Ahmed. As Zameer Ahmed is also not interested to give up the Waqf and minority portfolio, it is decided to offer the portfolio of youth services and sports to Rahim Khan.

It is learnt that M B Patil and Satish Jarkiholi have said that they do not want the ministerial berth if the important portfolios are not given to them and that is why Venugopal has flown to Delhi to finalize things with Rahul Gandhi.

Rahul tries to pacify Ramesh Jarkiholi

It is learnt that Rahul Gandhi has spoken to Ramesh Jarkiholi, who has revolted against the state party leaders because of withdrawing the position of minister from him and has asked Ramesh not to take any hasty decision in the heat of the moment.

Siddaramaiah and Parameshwar exchange heated words?

In the midst of all this drama, it is learnt that heated words were exchanged between Siddaramaiah, leader of the Congress legislative party and DCM Dr Parameshwar with regards to giving up the home portfolio. At present Parameshwar is holding Bengaluru city development, Home, youth services and sports department portfolios. Siddaramaiah asked him to give up one of the two portfolios of Home or Bengaluru city development. However, Dr Parameshwar has sternly replied to his instruction by saying, "During the formation of the government it was decided that deputy chief minister should hold two portfolios. I have also worked for organizing the Congress party as state president for eight years. You have kept me out of the cabinet for one and a half year even when Congress was brought to power. Now it is not even six months after forming the coalition government. How you are asking me to give up the portfolio? Is it right that all has to happen according your wish and will?"

It is learnt that even K C Venugopal, state in-charge was taken aback for a moment by the sharpness of the words used by Dr Parameshwar toward Siddaramaiah.