Karnataka MLAs meet Mallikarjun Kharge at 10 Rajaji Marg (Image Source: Dynamite News)
New Delhi: Amidst Karnataka's leadership tussle, 27 Congress legislators met the Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge this evening and urged for a cabinet reshuffle and to accommodate new faces, reports Dynamite News correspondent.
Sources said that Kharge is learnt to have suggested to the MLAs to remain silent, and that the high command would take an appropriate decision on the cabinet reshuffle, hinting it could take place after the five state election results are out.
The legislators are expected to meet General Secretary K C Venugopal and in-charge Randeep Surjewala in a day or two to press their demand for reshuffle. If possible, the MLAs may meet Rahul Gandhi also.
Sources said that while Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s camp is pushing for a cabinet reshuffle, Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, who is eyeing the Chief Minister post, is opposed to the reshuffle.
Karnataka Congress leaders at Kharge’s residence (Image Source: Dynamite News)
At present, the cabinet strength is 36, with two vacancies following the resignation of two cabinet ministers. It is being pointed out that as per the earlier agreement, a reshuffle was due after two years. But it is nearly three years, and the same cabinet is continuing. The same old people are in the cabinet, without any new member being inducted, members pointed out.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said that he does not mind MLAs camping in Delhi demanding reshuffle. He said that the cabinet reshuffle is due since the government completed two and a half years in office.
The legislators’ delegation includes members like Belur Gopal Krishna, A R Krishna Murthy, S N Narayan Swamy and others. These legislators wanted to visit Delhi much earlier but dropped their plans due to two assembly by-elections, which were held on 9th April.
