Cabinet berth? I've stopped dreaming about it: B C Patil

In politics, it's difficult to find leaders who come out with the blunt truth on any sensitive political issue and this applies to the much delayed cabinet expansion too, which is testing the patience of Congress legislators who are ministerial aspirants. No wonder, most MLAs refuse to speak this issue on the record. Hirekerur Congress MLA, B.C. Patil is  one of the many whose name keeps popping up in the list of Congress MLAs being targeted under Operation Lotus of the BJP to topple the coalition government. He may even  abstain from the winter session to bring pressure on the Congress high command to make him a minister. In an interview with Deccan Chronicle, he speaks about the abysmal start the coalition government has had even since it assumed power in May and the cabinet expansion. Here are excerpts from the interview.

The winter session of the state legislature per se may not have much to offer. But many Congress legislators anticipate a cabinet expansion after the session. There seems to be some confusion too on this subject? Why?

They (leaders) are creating confusion. They kept saying they will do it now and then clarify that they will do it later. They cite one reason or the other to postpone it.

One can understand the political compulsions behind postponing the cabinet expansion. It has happened with many governments in the past.  But, why such confusion in the Congress party?

I do not see any confusion. Where is it?

Leaders setting one date after the other for expansion and then postponing it, does it not prove they are confused?

(laughs) Whatever they feel or say, people at large have stopped believing this. Because, so many dates have come and gone.

Do you mean to say that the expansion has been put on hold because any attempt to do it may pose a threat to the existence of the government? Is that the reason why they have postponed it?

(pauses) They (leadership) have to give a reply. I cannot speak on their behalf.

As a senior MLA, you might have made an ssessment about why it may not happen so fast....

If we say anything, we will become villains.  Today it appeared in the newspapers. The chief minister is not staying at the IB in Belagavi. The report says that due to vaastu, he may not stay there. If one party (Janata Dal-Secular) believes so much in this, then how can you expect them to expand the cabinet in Dhanur Maasa which is considered inauspicious? They said the session will end on December 21 and expansion will happen on December 22. Do you think legislators will believe this? They are giving some reason to postpone it. Dhanur Maasa will end on January 13. So my feeling is that it may not happen till January 15. Thereafter, we do not know what reason they will give to postpone it. By then, the Lok Sabha election fever may begin. If they categorically say, ‘We do not want to expand the cabinet,’ we won't feel bad. But they should not give a date and postpone it. In my constituency for instance, people keep asking when will you become a minister? Now, I have started telling them, ‘Do not ask, I have stopped dreaming (about it).’

Many legislators say the new government has not released funds to their constituencies. What is your experience?

I can speak about my constituency. We have not started a single work ever since the new government came in. They kept asking about proposals. But you might have seen it, Over Rs 1,000 crore worth works have begun in Mandya and Hassan districts. For us, only letters came asking us to prepare two working plans.

The first time you were elected, was the experience different? Did the work start in six to eight months?

Oh! We started a lot of work then. Compared to the situation 15 years ago, we have done nothing now. For instance, I wrote to the education department to change the parameters for constructing rooms. I recieved no letter, no reply. Five months have passed, what kind of administration do we have in place?

There is a buzz in political circles that many legislators including you will boycot the session. Is that true?

(Pauses) You can see for yourself tomorrow. There's nothing like that. We are going.

Your name keeps popping up whenever there is talk of Operation Lotus. You have to clarify where the truth lies?
 
From day one, we have heard about ‘Resort Politics’. It has been going on. You have to ask those who write such stories. I cannot keep issuing rejoinders. I am here (in the Congress party), why should I join any other party?

But isn’t it true that you have been in touch with Ramesh Jarkiholi (minister) who wants to take away a chunk of legislators from the Congress party?

No, I am not in contact with Minister Ramesh Jarkiholi or anyone else. Nobody is in touch with me.

Finally, do you think the Congress high command, by joining hands with the Janata Dal (Secular) for the sake of national political convenience, has risked local prospects?

I am not saying this. But if you meet the people, they keep expressing such an opinion.