Bengaluru, August 8: Amidst a fierce debate over cabinet portfolios in Karnataka, Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar is set to travel to Delhi on Saturday. He aims to resolve ongoing disputes regarding the allocation of departments with the Congress leadership.
The monsoon session of the assembly is scheduled to commence on August 13. It has become crucial for the government to showcase unity within the party before this session.
Before his departure to Delhi, CM Shivakumar met with former Chief Minister and Congress Working Committee member Siddaramaiah at his residence in Bengaluru late Friday night. The two engaged in closed-door discussions. Sources indicate that the primary goal was to appease disgruntled senior leaders and unify the party ahead of the assembly session.
The Chief Minister is optimistic that intervention from the high command will help resolve differences, enabling the government to face the opposition unitedly.
There is growing dissatisfaction among legislators regarding the division of departments in the cabinet, particularly concerning representation from various social groups. The Lingayat community has been allocated seven cabinet positions, raising concerns about balance within the party.
Key departments such as Social Welfare, Labor, Higher Education, and Excise are in high demand. Pressure on the Chief Minister to appease senior leaders intensified when seven-time legislator T.B. Jayachandra expressed his discontent. After meeting with Siddaramaiah, CM Shivakumar went directly to Jayachandra’s residence.
Jayachandra had threatened to sit apart from the ruling party members due to his objections regarding the department allocation process. CM Shivakumar, who has a longstanding relationship with Jayachandra, stated that as the Chief Minister, he could visit his office or home. He referred to their relationship as a bond of friendship and sought guidance on future strategies.
Following their meeting, Jayachandra announced that the issue has been resolved. “I will go to the office and start working. It is my constitutional responsibility. If I do not fulfill my duty, I will be called a coward,” he said. He had voiced his concerns under pressure from local constituents but had not made any decisions at that time.
Former minister and senior leader H.C. Mahadevappa also expressed dissatisfaction regarding the portfolios. Known to be close to Siddaramaiah, Mahadevappa met with Congress’s Karnataka in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala in Delhi. According to sources, Surjewala listened to his concerns and assured him that the party stands with him.
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