There were signs of unrest in new Chief Minister D K Shivakumar’s government in Karnataka, with another senior Congress leader publicly expressing his dissatisfaction with the portfolio allocation just hours after Ramalinga Reddy resigned from the post of minister.
KH Muniyappa, who has been given charge of the food and civil supplies portfolio, urged the party leadership to reconsider the allocation. “Seniority has not been maintained. Ramalinga Reddy has won eight times. I have won eight times. There are others who have won seven, six and five times. All this has to be looked at in a balanced way,” news agency PTI quoted him as saying.
“I asked for Rahul Gandhi.”
The senior leader revealed that he had earlier expressed his preference for departments that would allow him to work more directly for public welfare, especially social welfare, agriculture or irrigation.
“When Rahul Gandhi came recently, I had applied. I wanted welfare so that I can serve people. I wanted agriculture to serve farmers. Irrigation is also a department through which farmers can be served. Such portfolios should be considered,” he said.
In an appeal to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Muniappa said, “All children should be treated equally and seniority should be maintained.”
Munyappa said the allocation should be reviewed not only on the basis of seniority but also keeping in mind the party’s prospects in the upcoming Assembly elections.
He said: “I demand changing what has been allocated and giving ministerial portfolios that provide public service and are more useful,” referring to his “long association with politics for 50 years.”
Shivakumar plays in the lower row
The controversy intensified after Reddy resigned from the government just two days after being sworn in. The eight-time MLA has been appointed to the key and intermediate irrigation portfolio, although multiple reports suggested that he was seeking the Bengaluru development portfolio.
In an attempt to calm the situation, Shivakumar described Reddy as one of his closest aides and insisted that the matter be resolved.
“There is nothing to worry about. He is a great friend. We are the closest friends in the Cabinet. We will solve the problem,” news agency ANI quoted the Prime Minister as saying.
“Ramalinga Reddy is my colleague and our senior leader. He said he cannot go to the village and work. He said I should give him another ministerial post. I will talk to Ramalinga Reddy and will rectify everything,” he said.
Congressional leaders express optimism
State Home Minister Priyank Karg said discussions among senior leaders would help resolve the dispute.
“This is something that senior officials will discuss and resolve. It is only a matter of time,” he told ANI.
Minister Yatindra Siddaramaiah also expressed confidence that the party leadership will convince the dissatisfied leaders.
“When there is discontent, I am sure the Congress leaders will talk to them and try to convince them. Both Muniyappa and Ramalinga Reddy were staunch party loyalists. I am sure they will listen to the leaders and this matter should be resolved amicably,” he was quoted as saying by PTI.
He added that while many legislators aspire to become ministers, the final decision rests with the party’s top leadership.
Reddy says he has not left Congress
In a press conference, Reddy explained that his resignation was limited to his ministerial position and did not extend to his party membership.
“I am still in the Congress Party and have not resigned from the party. I have been a member of the Congress Party for the past 53 years. I have assumed many responsibilities within the party,” he said while presenting his resignation letter.
He also claimed that he had never sought a ministerial position. “I never asked anyone to give me a ministerial position,” he said.
In the new government
The row comes less than 48 hours after Shivakumar was sworn in as the 34th Chief Minister of Karnataka, along with Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara.
The allocation of portfolios, announced late on Thursday, included senior leaders like Muniappa, KJ George, MP Patel, Ramalinga Reddy, Satish Jarkiholi, Krishna Bair Gowda, Priyank Kharge, UT Khader, Ishwara Khandre, Yathindra Siddaramaiah, Birathi Suresh and Sharan Prakash Patel.
