Revolt In Congress In Karnataka After Cabinet Expansion
Bengaluru: The expansion of the Karnataka cabinet yesterday led by Chief Minister D K Shiva Kumar ran into trouble with one Congress MLA resigning in protest over his exclusion and three others threatening to quit. Of the 20 names cleared by the Congress high command, 19 MLAs were administered the oath of office.
In a stern warning issued to disgruntled Congress MLAs threatening to resign as they were left out in the cabinet expansion, Karnataka Chief Minister Shivakumar on Tuesday said that the party is important; if they resign, it will be accepted within a few minutes.
At the same time, the Chief Minister sent an olive branch to disgruntled MLAs, urging them to be patient and wait for their opportunity, and said posts in state-run boards and corporations will be filled up soon.
" I have said whatever I have to... resignations keep happening in politics. No one can stop those resigning. If they want the party and their future, the party is important. If there is a party, there is everything else", Shivkumar said in response to a question about MLAs threatening to resign.
Talking to reporters, the chief minister said, " Those party men and legislators who were earlier appointed as members and heads of boards and corporations were told that their tenure will be for 2.5 years. It is already delayed. I will first ask our workers to resign from the posts and fill up those posts afresh, then I will speak to MLAs one by one".
Two months after assuming charge as the Chief Minister, on Monday expanded his cabinet. With the long-awaited cabinet expansion finally materialising, it caused disgruntlement among the ruling Congress legislators, with a couple of ministerial aspirants, who did not get a berth, offering to resign.
In fact, MLA Yashvantayagouda Patil submitted his resignation from his legislative post on Monday. Supporters of several ministerial aspirants have staged protests in different parts of the state. The sanctioned strength of Karnataka's ministry is 34, including the Chief Minister. Following Monday's expansion, it now has one vacant berth.
