Now Reading: Portfolio delay sparks open lobbying among Karnataka ministers
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Portfolio delay sparks open lobbying among Karnataka ministers
Five days after 19 ministers were sworn into Karnataka's cabinet, portfolio allocation remains pending, triggering open lobbying for key departments like finance, social welfare and planning. Minister Basavaraja Rayareddi publicly staked claim…
The Story in Brief
Five days after 19 ministers were sworn into Karnataka's cabinet, portfolio allocation remains pending, triggering open lobbying for key departments like finance, social welfare and planning. Minister Basavaraja Rayareddi publicly staked claim to the finance department, citing his experience as former adviser to ex-CM Siddaramaiah. Food and Civil Supplies Minister K.H. Muniyappa has expressed dissatisfaction with his current portfolio.
Chief Minister DK Shivakumar is balancing competing demands while containing discontent ahead of the Monsoon session starting Aug 13. Party sources say around 40 MLAs plan to meet on the opening day, a potential embarrassment. Seven-time MLA TB Jayachandra, denied a cabinet berth, has threatened to sit in the Opposition benches. Leader of the Opposition R Ashoka criticised the delay, alleging a governance standstill due to internal power struggles. Home Minister Priyank Kharge dismissed confusion, saying allocation is the CM's prerogative.
The Indian Opinion
The public clamour for posts, from Basavaraja Rayareddi openly asking for finance to K.H. Muniyappa complaining about his current portfolio, shows the Congress machine is running on personal ambition, not party discipline. The real test is whether Chief Minister Shivakumar can distribute the spoils without leaving 40 disgruntled MLAs to hold that Aug 13 dinner meeting. If he yields to loud voices, governance takes a backseat. If he doesn't, the monsoon session could turn into a public embarrassment. How many portfolios does the CM announce before that date?
Sources (2): deccanherald.com, timesofindia.indiatimes.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the 2 sources linked above.
