Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)
Bengaluru, May 28: Congress and the JD(S), which are under compulsion to do something urgently to save the coalition government, have planned to undertake the exercise of either expansion or reorganization of the ministry. Considering that the popularity of the Congress is at its lowest ebb now, the government is apprehensive about launching of 'Operation Lotus' by the BJP. The two parties have prepared a list of ministers for being dropped, on the basis of different parameters including performance and contribution to the party during the Lok Sabha election.
At the same time, there is apprehension within the party circles about the likelihood of the measure turning out into stirring of hornets’ nest.
H D Kumaraswamy and Siddaramaiah
A meeting to discuss ministry expansion had been convened at the office of Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee on Monday May 27. Another meeting is proposed to be held at the residence of the leader of the Congress legislature party, Siddaramaiah, on Tuesday before a final decision is arrived at. In all likelihood, the three spots that are vacant in the state ministry would be filled.
It is said that B C Patil would be accommodated under Lingayat quota, B Nagendra under scheduled tribes quota, and R Shankar under the quota meant for Kuruba community.
In case the cabinet expansion, eight ministers from both the parties would be dropped, to pave way for disgruntled MLAs and those who are angry at not having been accommodated in the ministry. It is said that Congress ministers, Dr Jayamala, U T Khader, Shivashankar Reddy, Putaranga Shetty, and Venkataramanappa would be dropped. Sa Ra Mahesh, C S Puttaraju and Gubbi Srinivas of the JD(S) are likely to face the axe.
Krishna Byregowda and Priyank Kharge too have been given the hint that they will have to be ready to vacate their ministerial spots if it is found absolutely necessary. In case Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee is revamped, D K Shivakumar is likely to be made its president, and in turn, he will have to vacate his ministerial berth.
Disgruntled MLAs, Ramesh Jarkiholi, Dr K Sudhakar, Roshan Baig, Mahesh Kumthalli, independent MLA, Nagesh, Sira and JD(S) legislators, Satyanarayana, K Srinivas Gowda and H K Kumaraswamy may get an opportunity to become ministers, it is said.