Karnataka state run board posts to reward leaders?

Bangalore: After dilly-dallying for more than two months, Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president, Dr G. Parameshwar and Chief Minister, Siddaramaiah seem to have arrived at a consensus on placating senior leaders and academicians by appointing them to various state-run boards and corporations.

Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, a senior leader in the KPCC, observed that the party which will be facing general elections in May 2014, does not want to antagonise its senior leaders as they feel their contributions will be crucial to ensure party candidates’ victory in the elections.

"Both the CM's and KPCC president, Dr Parameshwar's camps have prepared their own lists of probables for these posts, which will be discussed at the party's core committee meeting that will be held in the presence of AICC general secretary and party in-charge for Karnataka Digvijaya Singh on Saturday," the source added.

According to the source, plum board and corporation posts will be distributed among senior leaders who either missed cabinet berths or sacrificed their seats to safeguard party interests in the last Assembly elections.

"For instance former minster, H.M. Revanna who sacrificed his claim to Hebbal Assembly seat to allow former railway minister, C.K. Jaffer  Sharief's grandson, Rehman Sharief contest, and former two-time legislator B.T. Sangamesh who gave up his claim to Bhadravathi to accommodate the CM's close aide and former Union minister C.M. Ibrahim  from the constituency in the last Assembly elections, figure prominently in the list," the source explained.

The source further added that apart from these leaders, former leader of the opposition in the Legislative Council, V.S. Ugrappa  too is likely to get a plum post.

"The Chief Minister's camp is reportedly keen to rope in Ugrappa as deputy chairman of Karnataka state planning commission. Planning commission plays an important role in recommending fund allocation to the CM," the source claimed.

The appointments of the powerful board and corporation chiefs has been pending since the Assembly elections in May this year when the Congress party swept to power in Karnataka.

Several of the board and corporation chiefs appointed by the previous BJP government have already   resigned from their posts after the change of government.

These bodies are awaiting fresh appointments so that they can get on with their tasks.