Bengaluru, August 6: The recent expansion of the Karnataka Cabinet has faced another setback as Congress attempts to manage internal dissent within the party. A leaked video of a conversation between two senior party leaders has intensified the controversy. New political developments indicate that discontent within the ruling party is far from over.
The video features former ministers and senior Congress leaders H.K. Patil and Dinesh Gundu Rao discussing the criteria used for ministerial selections during a meeting at Patil’s residence. In the footage, one leader expresses confusion over the basis for selecting ministers, stating, “It is difficult to understand the criteria used for selection. I have never seen anything like this before. New standards have been adopted, and I cannot comprehend the basis for selection.”
Throughout the video, H.K. Patil is seen smiling, creating an uncomfortable situation for Congress leadership. This comes at a time when Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, AICC Karnataka in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala, and KPCC President B.K. Hariprasad are busy trying to placate leaders who were left out of the Cabinet.
After meeting with H.K. Patil, former Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao attempted to downplay the controversy, declaring that the Cabinet expansion is now a “closed chapter.” He stated, “We have served as the President of the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee and as ministers. Our priority as legislators will continue to be the development of our respective constituencies.” Gundu Rao explained that he met Patil because they are both senior party leaders.
He noted that he could not discuss the issue in detail the day before due to the presence of several other Congress leaders, including B.K. Hariprasad, at Patil’s home. Gundu Rao described the party leadership’s efforts to engage with dissatisfied leaders as a positive step. He emphasized that it is not wrong for the Brahmin community to demand representation in the Cabinet, stating, “Several communities have not received representation in the new Cabinet. This situation did not exist before.”
He mentioned that he has shared his views on the Cabinet expansion with B.K. Hariprasad. Meanwhile, discontent continues among legislators associated with the AHINDA (minorities, backward classes, and Dalits) group, who are reportedly unhappy with the selection process.
According to sources, senior leader and former minister H.C. Mahadevappa traveled to New Delhi on Thursday, where he is expected to meet with the party’s national leadership. This development follows reports of dissatisfaction among several leaders regarding the list of names suggested by former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah during discussions with Surjewala about the Cabinet expansion.
Party insiders indicate that some legislators believe Siddaramaiah recommended a limited number of names, leaving out many of his close associates and supporters from the final list, which has caused unrest within his faction. Mahadevappa, considered close to Siddaramaiah, has previously taken public stances that diverge from Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on various issues. He has also advocated for the creation of an additional Deputy Chief Minister position during Siddaramaiah’s tenure.
Insiders suggest that dissatisfied legislators feel that Siddaramaiah did not adequately present their claims to the party high command during the Cabinet expansion. Amid ongoing protests, resignations, and expressions of discontent from various parts of Karnataka, restoring unity within the Congress party has become a significant challenge for its leadership, as senior leaders strive to quell the rebellion.
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