Cabinet expansion: The veiled discontentment
The very first labour of coalition government has borne great results. History has shown that even absolute majority governments often face challenging situations while distributing the power offices to MLAs, and this government is resting on a weak foundation in terms of coalition partners. Cabinet expansion is much like proving the trust vote second time over, just so that no one leaves your side and the government remains safe and sound. And just as it happens, dissidence too has set in among the berth aspirants who weren’t made ministers this time. Some had expected at least a handful of disappointed MLAs would go and join the other side that’s waiting for its chance. But with no such thing happening, those seeking some drama over this are being disappointed. The major achievement as of now is that the whole unit is staying together.
The baby of a cabinet that was born after this difficult labour, is healthy and happy. Even the mother is doing good! So this is a massive accomplishment. Dissidence in this context is running like an undercurrent now. CM Kumaraswamy has to continue functioning even amidst this chaos. Some MLAs in Congress have made their unhappiness over not being made part of the cabinet so evident that it can take the party by storm anytime now. As expected, Vokkaligas have got maximum seats in the cabinet. Even in Congress, the control indirectly exists in minister D K Shivakumar’s hands. Lingayats are in second position on this, while the man who spearheaded the Lingayat-separate-dharma movement in last government, M B Patil has been kept out of the cabinet. The Lingayat movement had created some massive strides in RSS circles because lakhs of people had come together demanding a separate religion tag for their community. This had created a massive division between Lingayats and Veerashaivas. Congress had to face the accusation of having tried to polarize in the name of separate dharma. Owing to the fact that Lingayats didn’t vote favourably for Congress, the party seems to have set this agenda aside for the moment and hence M B Patil has been ignored. Patil voiced his unhappiness rather openly too.
How will this influence the Lingayat movement in the coming days? Only time holds the answer for this. Another Congress leader Satish Jarkiholi, who is trying to build his own political force, has also been ignored in the new cabinet. Coming from a Dalit community, Satish has set up a secular brigade ‘Manava Bandhutva’ (Human bonds) and was a major aspirant of a berth this time. He is also economically very strong as well and can be a fit alternative for D K Shivakumar among the Dalits. Hence the Cong leaders are keeping Jarkiholi at a distance, by using his brother Ramesh Jarkiholi and made him the minister. Now obviously, one family cannot have two ministers! That’s a smart move. Almost inactive but influential leaders such as R V Deshpande have been successful in clinching a berth owing to their caste and economic prowess. U T Khader and Zameer have managed a berth each, representing coastal Karnataka. Having come from JD(S) Zameer had to be made the minister from Cong side, but one does wonder if he would have been given bigger responsibility had be stayed loyal to JD(S). H Vishwanath too is an aspirant in JD(S). He has played a massive role in defeating Siddaramaiah in Chamundeshwari. He has also been kept at an arm’s length now. Shamanur and H K Patil are among deserving ministers, but many others have been kept out of the berth. Datta should have been nominated to upper house. But all values have fallen flat before money power.
All those dissident voices are sure to blackmail the new government, with BJP using this to its advantage. CM Kumaraswamy will have to ensure he runs a government managing every elected representative. But then ever since he took oath, the second time CM has been busy conducting rituals after rituals and watching out for auspicious time for every government duty. Dalit leader Parameshwar who is the Deputy CM, has surrendered himself to Vaidika rituals completely forgetting the ideals of Ambedkar. The only ray of hope in this situation is Mahesh from BSP who has been given a berth. The community hopes he’d hold up their ideals for better future.
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Asaduddin Owaisi pays tribute to SM Syed Khalil, calls him great personality of Nawayat Community
Hyderabad: Hyderabad MP and AIMIM Chief Asaduddin Owaisi expressed his condolences on the passing of SM Syed Khalil, a prominent businessman and philanthropist from Bhatkal. In a tweet, Owaisi referred to Syed Khalil as “Khalil Bhau,” fondly acknowledging his significant contributions to the Nawayat community and his work for the poor and needy.
“My condolences to the family of SM Syed Khalil saheb. He was affectionately called as Khalil Bhau, a great personality from the Nawayat Community. He headed many social organizations and helped many poor and needy people. A great loss to the people of Bhatkal. Will miss you, Khalil Bhau,” Owaisi tweeted.
SM Syed Khalil, who passed away in Dubai early Thursday morning after a brief illness, was a respected leader in the Nawayat community and a source of pride for Bhatkal. Known for his extensive contributions to international trade, education, and social service, Khalil’s life was marked by a commitment to uplift the underprivileged and strengthen community ties.
Among his many achievements, Syed Khalil was the Founder Chairman of K&K Enterprises in Sharjah and played a pivotal role in the success of the Galadari Company in Dubai over three decades. He also served as the Chairman of Madhyama Communications Ltd., Mangalore, and was actively involved in promoting Kannada and Konkani languages and culture.
In Bhatkal, he was a guiding force behind institutions like Anjuman Hami-e-Muslimeen and Rabita Society, where he championed girls’ education and worked to improve opportunities for the community. His leadership, humility, and compassion earned him widespread respect, and his contributions extended far beyond Bhatkal, touching lives across Karnataka and beyond.
My condolences to the family of SM Syed Khalil saheb he was affectionately called as Khalil Bhau a great personality from Nawayat Community,he headed many social organisations helped many poor and needy people,great loss to the people of Bhatkal ,will miss you Khalil bhau pic.twitter.com/piHjCCRD5d
— Asaduddin Owaisi (@asadowaisi) November 21, 2024
