BENGALURU: The Karnataka Cabinet expansion has triggered widespread resentment within the ruling Congress over the allocation of ministerial berths, leading to resignations, protests, bandh calls and threats of defection across the state.
Several MLAs denied Cabinet positions have openly expressed their dissatisfaction, while more than 20 disgruntled legislators are reportedly planning a separate meeting. A delegation of legislators is also expected to meet the Congress high command to seek corrective measures.
The discontent comes days after Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar expanded his Cabinet, leaving several senior legislators and aspirants without ministerial berths.
Indi MLA Yashavantharayagouda V. Patil has announced his resignation from the Assembly after being denied a Cabinet berth. Veteran Congress leader T.B. Jayachandra has declined the offer of the Pro Tem Speaker's post, while Sagar MLA Belur Gopalakrishna said he has kept his resignation letter ready. Senior MLA Gubbi Srinivas has also decided to resign as Chairman of the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC).
Responding to the unrest, Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar said legislators who wished to resign were free to do so and that their resignations would be accepted immediately.
First-time MLA Sharath Bachche Gowda also expressed disappointment after being overlooked for a ministerial berth or government post, but said he would abide by the party high command's decision.
The discontent has also spilled onto the streets.
A dawn-to-dusk bandh was called in parts of Chikkaballapura district to protest the denial of a Cabinet berth to senior Congress MLA S.N. Subbareddy. Demonstrators staged protests and disrupted KSRTC bus services. Police also prevented an alleged self-immolation attempt by a Congress worker during the agitation.
In Koppal district, several Congress office-bearers resigned after MLA Raghavendra Hitnal was denied a ministerial berth. Similar protests were reported in Raichur and Yadgir districts over the lack of Cabinet representation.
Supporters of senior Congress leader M. Krishnappa and his son, MLA Priya Krishna, also staged a protest outside the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee office in Bengaluru after Priya Krishna was left out of the Cabinet. (IANS)
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