Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Sep 3: Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president, Dr G Parameshwara, continues to exhibit his unhappiness at the unilateral ministry expansion undertaken by chief minister, Siddaramaiah. He continued to get holed up in his home, and refused to meet anyone on Saturday September 2.

On Friday, Parameshwara had stayed away from the swearing-in ceremony of newly inducted ministers, although he was in the city. Analysts had attributed his unexplained absence to the heartburn at the snub he is said to have suffered at the hands of the chief minister, who ignored Parameshwara's suggestions when undertaking ministry expansion. Sources close to KPCC president claim that the leader has not even been able to air his grievances publicly.

Reportedly, Parameshwara was strongly backing Tiptur MLA, Shadakshari, for ministerial berth with the hope of gaining popularity among Lingayats who comprise a sizable voter base in his neighbouring constituency, Koratagere. But Siddaramaiah put paid to Parameshwara's wishes by making a person of his choice a minister.

Parameshwara is under compulsion to keep his unhappiness under wraps as his adverse remarks might hurt party's chances in the assembly election that is a few months away. He therefore has decided to compromise with the situation and for that, he requires sometime on his own, it is learnt.

When some media persons asked the chief minister about Parameshwara's alleged unhappiness, he advised them to directly pose this question to Parameshwara.

Newly inducted excise minister, R B Thimmapur, asserted that there is no difference of opinion between the chief minister and KPCC president and that all the leaders in the party are having good relationship. "I have become minister just now. Paramshwar happens to be our leader. My immediate task would be to concentrate on my department," he stated.