Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)
Bengaluru, Dec 22: A meeting chaired by national president of Congress party, Rahul Gandhi, on Friday December 21, gave its nod for filling up of six remaining unfilled vacancies out of the party's quota. After prolonged discussions at the meeting which was held in the residence of Rahul Gandhi at Tughlaq Road New Delhi, a final decision was taken.
Former chief minister, Siddaramaiah, leader of the opposition in Lok Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president, Dinesh Gundu Rao, deputy chief minister, Dr G Parameshwara and state Congress affairs in-charge, K C Venugopal, were present in the meeting.
Jarkiholi brothers - Satish to be in, Ramesh likely out
It has been decided to offer the post of chief minister's political secretary to V Muniyappa. In order to appease Muslim community in north Karnataka, it has been decided to offer ministerial post to Rahim Khan. Rahul Gandhi also agreed to the proposal to drop two ministers, and swear-in eight ministers. Jewargi MLA, Ajai Singh, is being offered the post of the government's special representative at New Delhi.
It is said that there was pressure from several senior Congress leaders against the expansion of ministry now, as they felt it poses the risk of giving rise to anti-party activities by disgruntled leaders at a time when Lok Sabha election is round the corner. However, Siddaramaiah convinced Rahul Gandhi by explaining that some prominent leaders might not affectively undertake campaign during the election if they are not made ministers.
Reports said that Rahul gave his nod to the proposal to drop minister for municipal administration, Ramesh Jarkiholi, from the ministry and replace him with his brother, Satish Jarkiholi, because of Ramesh's defiance of party leaders on several occasions and mingling with BJP. Rahul is also said to have agreed to Siddaramaiah's proposal to drop forest minister, Shankar for not so far joining the Congress, and give the place to S Shivalli. His demand to include M T B Nagaraj from Kuruba community in the ministry was also accepted. At the same time, posts of eight parliamentary secretaries and one political secretary would be filled. The meeting decided to offer posts in corporations and boards to 20 legislators.
Satish Jarkiholi, Rahim Khan, S Shivalli, M T B Nagaraj, Parameshwar Naik, M B Patil, R B Thimmapur and Tukaram are likely to be sworn in as new ministers today. Care has been given to give regional and caste-wise representation judiciously, sources added.