No more berths for Congress MLAs for now: KC Venugopal

Bengaluru: With AICC general secretary K.C. Venugopal categorically ruling out any further induction of Congress MLAs into the state cabinet for now, all eyes are on the upset Congress MLAs including former ministers Satish Jarkoholi and M.B. Patil and their future course of action. 

Earlier in the day, Mr Venugopal had been more categorical saying there would be no cabinet expansion for the next six months.

For now, these MLAs remain tightlipped on their plans with Mr M.B. Patil who met Mr Venugopal on Thursday, asserting that he had not convened any meeting (of the dissidents) on Friday. 

However Congress MLA and former minister from Mysuru, Tanveer Sait,  after meeting Mr Venugopal, expressed unhappiness over the party giving berths to other Muslim MLAs U.T. Khader and Zameer Ahmed Khan and questioned their ability to provide leadership to the community. 

He also alleged that Khan, who joined the Congress after defecting from the JD(S) ahead of the May 12 assembly polls, had conspired against him during the state assembly elections.

 “I have not only brought this to the notice of AICC general secretary, K.C. Venugopal but also drawn the attention of other senior leaders to this issue. One more Muslim leader should be inducted into the cabinet to serve people of the community,” he said.

Besides, Mr Sait, party legislators C.S. Shivalli, V. Muniyappa and P.T. Parameshwar Naik too called on Mr Venugopal. Sources in the party said Mr Venugopal also called former minister Mr H.K. Patil asking him to meet him. 

Emerging from the meeting, Mr Patil said, “I have briefed him about what’s happening in the state Congress. Mr Venugopal assured me that he would fix an appointment for us with AICC president Rahul Gandhi. I am very confident that all problems will be sorted out soon.” 

Later speaking to reporters, Mr Venugopal said the party would review the performance of the new ministers after six months. 

“If we are not satisfied with their work, we will change them,” he said adding that it was common in a party like the Congress for such opinions to be expressed publicly.