Congress leader Rahul Gandhi with newly elected Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar during the swearing-in ceremony at Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru on May 20, 2023. (PTI photo)
If Dinesh Gundu Rao, BK Hariprasad and Krishna Byre Gowda do not find their names in the list, it could spell trouble for the new Karnataka Congress government. Worse, with the focus now on the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, this discontent could cast a shadow over the party’s performance
The picture was almost perfect at the swearing-in ceremony in Bengaluru on May 20 in the presence of the Gandhi family, Congress chief ministers and several senior opposition leaders. In a statement released later, senior Congress leader Sonia Gandhi, who did not attend the ceremony, thanked the people of Karnataka and party workers for the victory.
But behind the smiles and best wishes, the absence of some leaders of the state was seen.
Former Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president Dinesh Gundu Rao, who did not attend the function due to high fever and was in Delhi, was not actually listed as a cabinet minister, sources close to him said.
DK Shivakumar replaced Rao as the state chief in December 2019 after the latter “admitted” to the party’s poor performance in the Karnataka bypolls. Rao’s supporters, however, say the leaders were in no mood to attend the ceremony and could not understand why only eight ministers were sworn in when at least 10, including Rao, could be inducted into the cabinet. Was.
Not only Rao, BK Hariprasad and Krishna Byre Gowda were also missed. Even after the results came, BK was made to stand in Bengaluru in the hope that he would get a place in the cabinet. Since then he has switched off his phone and is not in touch with the top leadership. Krishna Byte has also declined to comment, and perhaps, they have adopted a wait-and-watch policy.
A chief minister can appoint 34 ministers but only eight were sworn in on 20 May. No woman minister was sworn in; Brahmin and upper caste faces were also missing.
Top Congress sources told News18 that they were “planning” not more than 10 ministers in the first round. “There is a time and place for more. We immediately wanted to represent those who voted for us.
The next round of cabinet expansion is expected in a week. Both Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah will be in Delhi to finalize the other names. If the names of Dinesh Gundu Rao, BK and Gowda do not figure in the list, it could spell trouble for the new government. Worse, with the focus now on the Lok Sabha elections in 2024, this discontent could cast a shadow over the party’s performance.
Interestingly, the list of eight ministers was released by Congress general secretary KC Venugopal. It also raised eyebrows, as the BJP asked why the CM should not officially take the decision. The dust has not settled on the Karnataka story yet.
