Non-BJP government to come to power at Centre: Siddaramaiah
‘Lazy ministers to get gate-pass’
Bengaluru, September 25: CLP leader Siddaramaiah said that it was hundred per cent sure that the non-BJP government would come to power at the centre in the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections.
Addressing the CLP meeting at a private hotel here on Tuesday, Siddaramaiah said that AICC President Rahul Gandhi would become the Prime Minister of the country. So, each elected representative should organize the party in their respective constituencies strongly. No opportunity should be given to destabilize the coalition government. The high command has entrusted the responsibility of protecting the coalition government in the state, for which the MLAs should extend their full support, he said.
Those who get the party high command green signal would become the ministers. AICC President Rahul Gandhi has directed him to conduct evaluation of the working style of the ministers once in six months. The ministers who do not work to the expectations of the party would not last longer, he asked the dissident MLAs that your differences should not be the food for others. The BJP has been encouraging the operation lotus. But you should not yield to any attractions and should not take any hasty decisions, he said.
“Have you ever imagined about your future if you desert the party? Understand the present position of the leaders who have left the party and joined BJP and how those leaders are being treated in that party. The party will identify you in right time and entrust the responsibility. But till then, you have to wait with patience”, he advised the MLAs.
Impossible to organize party
Some of the MLAs expressed their anger against Siddaramaiah and Parameshwar saying that they were not getting the funds to develop their constituencies and how they should develop the constituency and organize the party, they asked.
Some constituencies were getting Funds, Projects and Programmes without any hindrance. What about their constituencies? Though the coalition government was formed four months back, no works were being taken up in their constituencies, they averred.
If they give statements openly about the injustice, it was being termed as dissident activity. If they keep quiet, they would not get anything. They were not in a position to give answer to the people of their constituencies. Though the Congress MLAs were more in the coalition government, they were in a position to beg everything. Even the officers transfer had also become unilateral. They were not getting the officers they want. They were not getting the solutions to their problems even if they express with you. The people in the government were not listening to their problems, they expressed their anger against the DCM and other ministers indirectly.
Silly excuses were being given for not expanding the Cabinet. They were unable to discuss it with the party high command, but they were being targeted for everything, they said.
Only Ramanagar constituency was getting everything and all permissions. Why the CM is discriminating them, asked Yeshwanthpura MLA S.T. Somashekar.
KPCC President Dinesh Gundu Rao, Working President Eshwar Khandre, Deputy Chief Minister Dr G. Parameshwar, Former Chief Minister Veerappa Moily, Ministers, MPs and Rajya Sabha Members participated in the meeting.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Speculations about Cabinet reshuffle in Karnataka gain momentum
Bengaluru (PTI): Speculations regarding the reshuffle of the Siddaramaiah-led Cabinet in the days ahead gained momentum in Karnataka with senior Minister Satish Jorkiholi on Wednesday stating that there are talks about such an exercise, but don't know when it will take place.
His statement came a day after Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, who is also the state Congress president, indicated the possibility of a Cabinet reshuffle, noting that few ministers have been given a "message" about their term.
"There are talks that it will be done. Don't know when it will be done, but there is news that some people will be changed, to change some portfolios. Such discussions are on, but I don't know when...I have not asked for anything. It is left for the high command, whom they will give and how..." Jarkiholi, who is the PWD Minister said.
To a question about whether the reshuffle will be based on performance, he said, "Maybe... it may be they (leadership) are not satisfied with some, or they may continue with the existing ministers and not do the Cabinet rejig. Can't say...there are also several seniors in our party."
Asked about whether ministers will be ready to give up the post in case of a reshuffle, Jarkiholi said, "What the high command says is final....if the list comes from Delhi (leadership of Congress), there ends the story. One should vacate the house and go...Delhi is final."
Speculations are rife about Cabinet reshuffle and evaluation of the performance of the ministers, ever since the Lok Sabha poll results. There has also been a demand from a section of MLAs, who are ministerial aspirants, to be inducted into the Cabinet. Some have openly expressed their wish to become ministers.
CM Siddaramaiah and his deputy Shivakumar's Delhi visit is also adding to the speculations.
While Siddaramaiah is leaving for the national capital tomorrow evening, Shivakumar is already there.
Home Minister G Parameshwara earlier in the day said, Cabinet reshuffle is the prerogative of the chief minister and he would take a decision in consultation with the state Congress president and the high command.
"I don't know about it. Cabinet reshuffle is the chief minister's prerogative. He will consult the Pradesh Congress Committee president and go about it. This has been the practice. I don't know what decisions they make. It has to be done in consultation with the high command," Parameshwara said in response to a question on Cabinet reshuffle.
To a question about Shivakumar's statement, he said, "He (Shivakumar) is the party state president. I don't know what messages he has sent (to some ministers)."
Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao in Shivamogga said there is no development for now regarding Cabinet reshuffle, but everyone should be prepared for it.
Reacting to Shivakumar's statement, he said, "It is good if the reshuffle is done after two years as others should also get the opportunity. He might have said it with that intention. It is not that only we should continue (as ministers) and others shouldn't come (to the post), so everyone should be prepared..."
Meanwhile, Jarkiholi, who is also seen as the contender for the KPCC president post, said party presidentship is not an easy job. It is a difficult task and a responsibility to handle.
"Everyone's cooperation is required to handle the post, but there is no discussion about changing the president post for now....it is not an easy job. It is like standing on thorns, it is a difficult job," he added.
Shivakumar, who has completed four years as president of the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC), is currently on an extension in the post.
