Daijiworld Media Network – Bengaluru (DC)

Bengaluru, Jun 6: Hours after expanding his cabinet, Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy on Wednesday said that dissent is evident while forming the ministry and it is natural for supporters of some MLAs to feel disappointed when they are not given ministerial positions.

He clarified that there are no differences within the Congress-JD(S) coalition government.

Addressing a joint press meet along with deputy chief minister Dr G Parameshwara, Kumaraswamy recalled the violent protests erupted in 2008 when the BJP formed government. Several supporters of ministerial post aspirants went to the extent of torching buses. But such situation does not prevail now and we will take every leader into consideration.

"I have seen various lists of probable portfolio distribution being released in the media over the past few days. I request the media to understand one thing. Forming a coalition government takes time as we need to resolve a number of issues. It took some time to form the committee for this purpose. I have seen some media channels where it is being reported that when the aspirants miss the ministerial berths the alliance gets affected which is wrong. These reports are not true.

"As many as 25 ministers have been inducted today, some are new faces and some are experienced. We have chosen them so as to give the best administration to the people. I have held talks with the new ministers and everyone is waiting to contribute for the overall development of the state," he said.

He further said that before forming the cabinet, I have held meetings along with Deputy Chief Minister with the BBMP officials. Over 3800 potholes need to be filled in Bengaluru and we have given directions to the concerned authority.

DCM Dr Parameshwara said, "It is the media who was criticising us for not expanding the ministry sooner. We have given assurance to the people to give good governance as coalition. After the CM and I took oath, we held several meetings with officials to understand the problems of the people, be it the floods in Dakshina Kannada or the potholes in Bengaluru roads. Even though ministry expansion got delayed, we have ensured that there was no delay in governance and we have taken all measures expected of the government.

"There is absolutely no confusion about the cabinet berths, and especially no confusion about the energy portfolio. All 80 of our MLAs are eligible to become ministers but we have only 22 berths," he added.

Will provide stable government for next 5 years: Kumaraswamy

Allaying fears over the survival of the JD-S-Congress coalition ministry, Karnataka Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy on Wednesday said the alliance partners would provide a stable government for the next five years.

"I would like to tell the sceptics that we will provide a stable and efficient government, which will last its full five-year term. Let there be no uncertainty about it," he told reporters after chairing the first meeting of the expanded cabinet here.

Miffed over media reports on the longevity of the government due to delay in cabinet expansion and allocation of portfolios, Kumaraswamy said as the May 12 election threw up a hung Assembly, the alliance partners had to form the government after the three-day BJP government fell for want of numbers on May 19.

"Forming a coalition government and selecting legislators for the ministry take time as we have to do justice to all the stakeholders and in sharing the cabinet posts as alliance partners," he said.

Seeking a breathing time to settle down and get the official machinery cracking, the Chief Minister said he and Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara have been working overtime from the day they assumed office on May 23 to address governance issues.

"I have already directed officials to attend the problems related to potholes in Bengaluru and relief works in rain-hit districts across the state," said Kumaraswamy.

Endorsing Kumaraswamy's views, Parameshwara said the coalition government would be responsible and accountable to the people in delivering the services.

"There is no confusion or uncertainty about the function of the government. The Chief Minister will allot the portfolios for all the ministers, including me, in a day or two and everybody will start working hard," he said.

Admitting that there was disgruntlement in some of the legislators left out of the cabinet expansion, Parameshwara, who is also the Congress' state unit President, said their concerns would be addressed and given opportunity to serve in other ways.

"Though there are five-six cabinet berths vacant to be filled by our party, the Congress has just 22 posts for its legislators, including me, as the state cabinet can have only 34 ministers, with 12 from the JD-S, including its Chief Minister," clarified Parameshwara.

The Congress and JD-S are hoping to quell the brewing dissidence in both the parties by assuring their legislators of making them chairmen of the various statutory boards and corporations with cabinet rank.

With IANS Inputs