Hubballi-Bengaluru: Five days after CM H.D. Kumaraswamy got a full fledged cabinet, the dissidence in the Congress and JD(S) showed no signs of abating though former CM Siddaramaiah, chairman of the co-ordination committee of the coalition government, claimed he had spoken to MLAs upset over not getting ministerial berths and ‘all problems had been sorted out.’
Speaking to reporters in Bagalkote, Siddaramaiah said, "The term of ministers is for two years. After that we will give a chance to other eligible people.” He ruled out the possibility of creating another post of Deputy Chief Minister-something the Lingayat MLAs including former minister M.B. Patil are reportedly keen on.
Meanwhile, the group of 15-20 MLAs, who are unhappy over being denied berths, are slated to meet on Monday with former minister Satish Jarkiholi asserting that he has decided not to become a minister even if he is offered a berth now. “I have decided to resign as AICC secretary,'' he said.
The meeting will focus on the outcome of the talks M.B. Patil had with Congress president Rahul Gandhi in Delhi on their demands. Mr M.B. Patil also met the BJP’s Raichur MLA Dr Shivaraj Patil on Sunday, triggering another round of speculation.
