Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Jun 22: It is said that there has been inordinate delay in allocating portfolios to the two newly inducted ministers, as independent MLA Nagesh, who has been made a minister, has been insistent on getting energy portfolio.

Nagesh was working as technical director of Karnataka Power Transmission Corporation Ltd (KPTCL) before seeking voluntary retirement and foraying into politics. He was elected as MLA at the first attempt. Once he was sworn in, it is said, he began to demand energy portfolio as he is confident of handling it, having worked in KPTCL.

The chief minister wanted to give municipal administration department to Shankar and textiles department to Nagesh. But Nagesh has pointed out that if the municipal administration, which was previously with the late C S Shivalli, is given to Shanker, he should get education department which was with N Mahesh. If this is not possible, he says, he should get at least energy ministry.

MLA Nagesh

Both the ministers were present at a function organized before the chief minister proceeded with his village stay programme, to release a work, 'Maitri Parva' giving details of achievements of the government during the last one year. They asked the chief minisiter for portfolios. The chief minister promised them to do the needful by the evening but even on Friday, they remained as ministers without portfolios.