Voices of dissent ahead of Karnataka Cabinet reshuffle; some threaten to quit

Bengaluru, June 19: Even before the Congress leadership could finalise the council of ministers, dissent voices were heard from those rumoured to have been dropped. Some of them have even threatened to resign from the party if they are not made minister.

Primary and Secondary Education Minister Kimmane Ratnakar was among the first to remark on the reshuffle. He put up a Facebook post late on Friday night, hinting at his exit. He thanked his supporters and well-wishers and said he never lobbied for a position and chose not to do so this time as well.

Ratnakar said his rivals called him a “white-collar politician” while many considered him “arrogant”. He said he fulfilled his ministerial responsibilities efficiently, and signed off by saying that his responsibilities lay with the electorate, and that he was not power-hungry.

Revenue Minister V?Srinivas Prasad, however, openly expressed his discontent. He attacked Chief Minister Siddaramaiah who, he said, “failed” to review ministers' performance.

Prasad told reporters in Mysuru, “The chief minister failed to review the performance of ministers properly. He has not taken into account corruption charges and other allegations against some of the ministers. Though reshuffling is the discretion of Siddaramaiah, he should have properly reviewed the performance of all ministers in the past three years, before deciding to drop a few of them.”

The minister insisted that he neither lobbied for a Cabinet berth nor was against being dropped from the ministry. “I?am least bothered about the ministerial position. People are well aware of my performance,” he said.

While Prasad is learnt to have threatened to resign from the party, senior legislator Maalakareddy from Yadgir also is contemplating quitting the Congress. Among the many MLAs who were aspiring for a Cabinet berth, he was the most vocal.

“There is a lot of pressure from my followers to resign as MLA and from the party. I will go to my constituency and discuss the future course of action with party workers,” said Maalakareddy who was lobbying in New Delhi.

Maalakareddy, who was earlier a minister, questioned Siddaramaiah's decision-making. “What kind of clean administration can one expect from the current dispensation when senior and efficient leaders are not part of it,” he said.

Loyal workers ignored'

Another leader and Mayakonda MLA, Shivamurthy Naik, said the Congress had “ignored” its loyal workers and able administrators. Urging the high command to halt the reshuffle, he said, “The leaders should tell why they have not considered me.”

Kimmane returns govt vehicle, staff

Minister for Primary & Secondary Education Kimmane Ratnakar politely sent back the escort vehicle, staff, government vehicle, and returned to his native Kimmane after learning that he would be dropped from the Cabinet, reports DHNS from Thirthahalli (Shivamogga dist). He arrived in his home constituency Thirthahalli at 11 am and moved to his native Kimmane in a private vehicle. He directed the escort staff to return to Bengaluru. Later, he held discussions with the party leaders and the activists.

The escort personnel, however, in the first instance refused to leave the town and said that they would escort him till they get further orders from the government. Kimmane said there was no need for it and thanked them for discharging their duties effectively. He moved to his home in the town.

Speaking to reporters, Kimmane said that he has discharged his duties as minister for Primary & Secondary Education for three years to the best of his ability.

The two-time MLA said that he is neither capable nor is he interested in retaining the ministerial berth through lobbying. Kimmane said that he does not believe that the position and car would indicate the status of an individual in the society. He said that he had discussed in detail with the chief minister in advance and would abide by the decision taken by the party high command.

When questioned on ministerial berth for Sagar MLA Kagodu Thimmappa, he said he would be very glad if the veteran Congress leader is inducted into the ministry.