Karnataka: Who's CM's pick for Home Minister?

Bengaluru: With Governor Vajubhai Vala accepting the resignation of Dr G. Parameshwar on Saturday, intense speculation has commenced within the Congress on who take over the coveted portfolio of home ahead of next year’s elections to the Legislative Assembly. 

Initially, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah was contemplating retaining the portfolio or asking his aides, K. J. George or  Dr H. C. Mahadevappa, take over the mantle, but top sources in the ruling party said the old formula was dumped as both seemed to have expressed their “helplessness” to take over this portfolio.

 Besides, Mr George taking over as home minister was ruled out as Mr Siddarmaiah himself was not keen to handover this key portfolio to any leader from minority community as it could provide the Opposition BJP, to focus all efforts on highlighting failures of  the new home minister. 

While the names of energy minister, D. K. Shivakumar, and some senior leaders cropped up for discussion, Mr Siddaramaiah felt that the former was not a media friendly person as he was at logger heads with many media personalities due to his highhanded behaviour.

“Although, a section of journalists back him for various reasons, there is silent influential group within media too, which at times becomes vocal against leaders like Mr Shivakumar. Thus the Chief Minister  camp is weighing lot many options before picking the next home minister,” sources added. 

Sources said the Chief Minister’s camp had set off a new round of speculation that Mr Siddamaraiah could pick an youngster to head the key department as minister of state under tutelage of his adviser and retired IPS officer, Kempaiah. 

“Such a person's job will be cut out for him. He or she will insulate the Chief Minister from trouble. While another important job is to win the confidence of a large group of influential police officers, who  developed some kind of disliking for Mr Kempaiah, who is the de facto home minister, Mr Kempaiah is known for his highly opinionated personality. Thus he has his share of enemies within his former department. Hence, the Chief Minister is contemplating a candidate who will suit such a role ahead of the Assembly elections,” sources added.