Bengaluru: Is former minister M.B. Patil, who led the revolt of in Congress, upset with top leaders for rewarding his arch rival, Shivanand Patil, with a berth in the cabinet?
Mr Patil, who had reportedly agreed in the presence of central leaders in New Delhi that he would not speak out in the event of being denied a berth in the cabinet, was livid with the composition of the new coalition ministry and inclusion of his beta noire Mr Shivanand Patil.
“He was in for a rude shock when he saw Mr Shivanand Patil’s induction into the cabinet. For him, losing the DCM post or a cabinet berth was not a big issue, but seeing Mr Shivanand Patil join as cabinet minister, was an undigestable development. Therefore, he said he will lead the rebels and disgruntled to teach them (central leaders) a lesson,” according to sources close to Mr Patil.
Sources in Congress said it was party leader in Lok Sabha, M. Mallikarjun Kharge who played a key role in scuttling the chances of Mr Patil and bringing his rival, Shivanand Patil into the cabinet.
“Mr M.B. Patil had tried to emerge as a leader for entire north Karnataka. He has ensured the defeat of many including five time Congress MLA, Appaji Nadagouda. But he could not ensure the defeat of Mr Shivanand Patil who turned out to be a stumbling block for him,” sources added.
