BENGALURU: Outgoing KPCC president G Parameshwara, who joined the Siddaramaiah cabinet as Home Minister after persuasion by the party’s central leadership, had almost clinched the portfolio of Bengaluru City Development as well.
But how his elation was short-lived and how George, in a lightning move, netted the Bengaluru development portfolio is the latest buzz doing the rounds of the corridors of power.
According to sources, Parameshwara was caught unawares when former Home minister K J George made a lightning visit to Delhi, met party president Sonia Gandhi and succeeded in securing the Bengaluru development portfolio for himself.
Parameshwara, who was not inclined to join the Siddaramaiah cabinet sans the Deputy Chief minister’s post, however blinked when the party president Sonia Gandhi intervened and directed him to accept the ministerial post. He had no option but to join the cabinet after the High Command had directed the Chief minister to allocate him his desired portfolio.
Party sources said that a sulking George rushed to Delhi in a chartered aircraft and met the Central party leaders. Earlier, George who was set to lose the Home ministry, was tipped to get the Urban Development portfolio, presently held by Vinayakumar Sorake.
“Parameshwara, who was busy receiving bouquets and wishes from his supporters, had to be content with just the Home portfolio,” the source added.
“The delay by the CM in allotting portfolios to the newly-inducted ministers cost Parameshwara the Bengaluru Development portfolio,” a party leader said.