Even before the results of the Lok Sabha results are out, lobbying for ministerial berths from a group of senior leaders from North Karnataka is likely to intensify again in the state Congress.
According to sources, senior Congress MLAs Malikaiah Guttedar, K B Koliwad, Malaka Raddy and others are planning to head to New Delhi on May 12 to meet Congress national leaders to stake claim for ministerial berths in the Siddaramaiah cabinet.There are three vacant slots in the state cabinet, which presently has a strength of 31. Guttedar, Koliwad and Malaka Raddy have been persistently raising their voice for the revamp and expansion of the cabinet.
However, the senior leaders had agreed to the high command’s request to wait till the completion of Lok Sabha polls in the state. They had even promised to work hard for the victory of party candidates in their respective region to strengthen their claim for the ministerial berths.
The group had even even written a letter to Sonia Gandhi in February expressing their displeasure at the performance of some of the ministers, who are allegedly suffering from age related ailments. The group had questioned the reasons for ignoring their claim to be appointed as ministers though they are among the most senior members, as they have been elected for more than five or six times to the Assembly.
‘Have Faith in High Command’
When contacted by Express, Guttedar expressed confidence that the party high command would fulfil its promise this time by inducting them into the cabinet before the first week of June.
“We are not in a hurry as we have faith in the high command. We have worked hard for the victory of Congress candidates in Hyderabad-Karnataka region. We are confident of the party doing well in this region and we will be rewarded. The demand is not just for cabinet expansion. We have been demanding for a revamp of the cabinet too, as there are so many deserving senior leaders. If necessary we may remind the high command about this promise,” Guttedar said.