BENGALURU: The simmering dissidence among Congress MLAs over the allocation of cabinet berths will be discussed during AICC general secretary and Karnataka in-charge K C Venugopal’s visit to Bengaluru on Thursday. Venugopal, along with senior leaders such as former chief minister Siddaramaiah, is expected to hold a meeting regarding issues including dissidence over cabinet berth allocation and selection of the new KPCC president.
Speaking to reporters at dissident leader MB Patil’s residence, KPCC working president Dinesh Gundu Rao said that though a few MLAs were hurt over the allocation of cabinet berths, there was still time to sort out the differences. “We will have to adjust and work for the welfare of the party. Cabinet has not been formed completely and there is time to consider all the complaints of the dissidents,” he said.
To a question on selection of the KPCC president, he said the party leaders will deliberate and select the candidate. “There is no factionalism in that. We will adhere to the decision taken by party high command,” he said.
Several MLAs visited the residence of H K Patil, who was also among the Congress dissidents. While MLAs Tanveer Sait and Ajay Singh visited the senior leader in the evening, Kundgol MLA C S Shivalli visited him during the first half of the day. While three more MLAs were expected to hold meetings with H K Patil on Wednesday, they were not able to make it due to other engagements.
Chikkaballapur MLA Dr K Sudhakar, who is among the dissidents, continued his attack on Congress leaders. Sudhakar on Wednesday attacked Agriculture Minister N H Shivashanker Reddy. He said that he will not be sharing the dais with the minister as he had backed a JD(S) candidate during the MLC polls in the past.
Supporters protest Supporters of MLA Shamanur Shiva shankarappa staged a protest in front
of Dy CM G Parameshwara’s residence.