A group of Congress legislators from Karnataka met Randeep Singh Surjewala, the All India Congress Committee general secretary in charge of the state, in New Delhi on Thursday to press for a reshuffle and seek his inclusion in the ministry.
The delegation, comprising more than 20 MPs, has been in the capital since April 12, lobbying the party leadership to allow Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to reshuffle his cabinet and make way for senior lawmakers who are yet to be accommodated. Their demand includes replacing those who have already served several terms as ministers.
Earlier, on April 13, the MLAs met AICC president Mallikarjun Karg and conveyed their concerns, reiterating the need to reconstitute the Cabinet.
Speaking to reporters, senior MLA and former minister T P Jayachandra said the delegation has placed its key demands before Surjewala and will also seek an appointment with KC Venugopal, general secretary (organisation), to pursue what he described as a “one-point agenda” for the reshuffle.
“The Cabinet must be reshuffled. These MLAs are demanding to be given a chance,” Jayachandra said, adding that there was also a need to address the uncertainty surrounding leadership issues in the state.
However, the delegation’s efforts to meet with senior national leaders were limited by their schedules. MPs are unlikely to meet Rahul Gandhi, as Parliament is currently in session, with ongoing discussions on delimitation of constituencies and the proposed 33% reservation for women in Parliament and state legislatures.
Jayachandra acknowledged the difficulty of securing appointments, noting that party leaders are preoccupied with parliamentary responsibilities. “Senior leaders are busy with work due to Parliament session. Hence, it is difficult to give us time. If it is not possible now, then I am ready to come to Delhi another day,” he said.
According to party leaders, some senior leaders have conveyed that the reshuffle is the prerogative of the Prime Minister, indicating that there is no need for MLAs to press the issue in Delhi. There were also indications that the leadership advised lawmakers to return to Bengaluru.
