BENGALURU: Ministerial aspirants in the Karnataka Congress may have to wait longer, as the party high command is unlikely to give its nod for a Cabinet reshuffle when the Siddaramaiah-led government is facing flak over the stampede outside M Chinnaswamy Stadium that claimed the lives of 11 people.
While Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar maintained that there was no discussion on a cabinet reshuffle during their meeting with the Congress top brass in New Delhi on Tuesday, party insiders told The New Indian Express that the issue did come up for discussion.
Sources said that the high command leaders are reportedly upset over the State Government’s image taking a beating after the stampede and directed the leaders to take corrective measures.
“Many aspirants were hoping for a Cabinet reshuffle. But the high command feels that making any changes now could send out the wrong message, and the party is likely to take up the exercise only in November,” a party insider said.
Meanwhile, the decision by the Congress and government to take up the caste census again is seen as an attempt to divert attention from the stampede issue, sources said.
In Karnataka, there has been a buzz about a cabinet reshuffle for a while now.
Sources indicate that Congress central leaders may direct Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar to drop non-performing ministers and those mired in controversies.
Interestingly, many ministers, including some seniors, landed in Delhi with booklets highlighting the achievements of their respective ministries in the last two years to impress Central leaders.
After the Congress government’s ‘Saadana Samavesha’ in Hosapete, many leaders had openly expressed their aspirations to become ministers.
“When the CM and DyCM were called to Delhi this time, aspirants were hoping that a decision would be taken on the reshuffle. But the high command has clearly instructed state leaders that it cannot be done before November, when the government completes 30 months in office,” sources said.
A Congress leader, who wished not to be named, said that making changes in the Cabinet now will send out a wrong message. “It is like the government accepting the mistake in the stampede incident. Many aspirants, who had hoped to get the top brass’ nod for a rejig, are clearly disappointed,’’ the leader said.
“Change in portfolios may happen, but not anytime soon. A major cabinet reshuffle will happen in November before the panchayat and local body polls,” a Congress leader said.