Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Dec 28: It appears that differences which had cropped up over the distribution of portfolios within Karnataka ministry have blown away. Leader of Congress legislature party and former chief minister, Siddaramaiah, has succeeded in making sure that the home portfolio is allotted to M B Patil, who is deemed to be close to Siddaramaiah. In addition, Siddaramaiah also has snatched away the department of medical education that was held by D K Shivakumar, who is considered to be influential both in the government and with the party high command, and given it to E Thukaram, another of his close aides.

This, it appears, has effectively dented the clout of both Shivakumar and Parameshwara. With this precise exercise, Siddaramaiah appears to have emerged as the strongman and master manipulator of state Congress.

Parameshwara was not prepared to cede the home portfolio he was holding. But he has been given the department of law and parliamentary affairs in exchange for home. Political analysts believe that Siddaramaiah has succeeded in reining in the influence of Parameshwara in one stroke by divesting him of an important portfolio.

Some feel that Parameshwara's insistence on keeping with him the department of Bengaluru city development cost him the department of home. He was insistent on having at least two portfolios, being the deputy chief minister of the state. But north Karnataka leaders like M B Patil, H K Patil, and Sathish Jarkiholi reportedly insisted that none of the ministers should be vested with two important portfolios. By acceding to the demand, Rahul Gandhi seems to have upheld the demands of leaders from north Karnataka.

Parameshwara has now got law and parliamentary affairs department, which was hitherto with minister, Krishna Byre Gowda. The department of youth services and sports has been given to new minister, Rahim Khan.

Some Congress leaders believe that Siddaramaiah has succeeded in clipping the wings of Parameshwara and Shivakumar, who were facing the allegation of laying more emphasis on bending to the wishes of JD(S) that protecting the interests of their own party.

Sathish Jarkiholi has got forest department which was with R Shankar earlier. M T B Nagaraj has got urban development ministry, and also housing department which was with U T Khader additionally. Municipal administration and ports departments which was handled by Ramesh Jarkiholi has been given to S Shivalli, while P T Parameshwara Naik has got IT-BT as well as mines and geology department which were additionally handed by industries minister, K J George. Muzrai department handled by minister, Rajashekhar Patil, has been given to P T Parameshwara Naik. Thimmapur has been allotted skill development department, which was hitherto with revenue minister, R V Deshpande.