Admitting that he was undergoing a rough phase in politics, senior Congress leader and MLA D K Shivakumar on Friday exuded confidence that he would find a berth in the state Cabinet soon.
Denying allegations that he was meeting the disgruntled Congress legislators over discrimination in the Cabinet expansion, Shivakumar clarified that neither was he a dissident leader nor holding any dissidence activity. “I have been a disciplined soldier of the Congress and continue to be so,” he said.
He told Express that he met AICC president Sonia Gandhi and vice-president Rahul Gandhi and explained to them in detail about charges filed against him. “I have cleared all doubts which the party high command had against me. I am optimistic that both Sonia and Rahul are convinced about my briefing. Days are not far of me to join the Cabinet,” he added.Shivakumar admitted that he was passing through a difficult time and was optimistic of coming out clean of all charges.
The former KPCC working president said he has already appealed to his followers not to stage any agitation or protest rallies demanding his inclusion in the Cabinet. “If I am eligible, power will come to me,” he added. The party high command did not clear the names of several Congress legislators, including Shivakumar, who are facing charges, before the formation of the first Cabinet.