Daijiworld Media Network – Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Mar 28: In an attempt to retain confidence among his ministers, receive feedback on candidate selection and assess poll preparedness, chief minister Siddaramaiah spent most of his Wednesday at the KPCC main office on Queen's Road holding one-to-one meetings with various ministers and the district Congress presidents.

According to party sources, the CM aimed to appease disgruntled ministers especially housing minister M Krishnappa, municipal administration minister Eshwar Khandre, fisheries minister Pramod Madhwaraj and horticulture minister S S Mallikarjun.

Bidar district in-charge minister Eshwar Khandre and Davanagere district in-charge minister S S Mallikarjun were upset that the Lingayats were given a separate minority status. Khandre also opposed controversial businessman Ashok Kheny joining the party.

While Madhwaraj was upset with Siddaramaiah for sidelining him and also not visiting the Sri Krishna temple in Udupi, Krishnappa protested against energy minister D K Shivakumar's interference in the district administration.

Even though speculations were rife that Krishnappa and Madhwaraj may join BJP, both have denied the same.

Sources reveal that ticket aspirants from Melukote constituency in Mandya have threatened to contest elections as rebels, if Darshan Puttannaiah, son of late MLA K S Puttannaiah is given a ticket.

A similar wave of rebellion is noticed in Mahadevapura, Chamarajpet and Pulakeshinagar constituencies in Bengaluru. The Congress loyalists seem unhappy that the party is giving more importance to new Congress members, who are likely get the ticket.

KPCC president G Parameshwara, who was present at the meet, said that 50% of the sitting legislators would get the tickets. However, only party president Rahul Gandhi will take a call on the remaining tickets.