Some MLAs have become mantris through arm twisting tactics, says Eshwar Khandre

Bidar: The dissidence in the district unit of the Congress erupted on Sunday with Former Minister and Bhalki MLA Eshwar Khandre taking a swipe at Minister for Mines and Geology Mr Rajashekhar Patil alleging that “some MLAs have become ministers” through armtwisting.

Addressing a media conference here along with two other Congress legislators from the district- A Rahim Khan and B Narayan- Mr Khandre said though he had achieved an impressive performance in the district during his short tenure of about 22 months, he was denied a ministerial post.

“I have brought over Rs 900 crore to the district and undertook a lot of developmental work. As the district in-charge minister, I led in the Assembly polls and managed to win four of the six seats in the district. This has been the best performance of Congress in the district since 1978. I had big hopes that the high command would recognise my contributions by rewarding me with a ministerial post. But I’m disappointed that I have not been rewarded”, Mr Khandre remarked.

It may be mentioned that Mr Rajashekhar Patil had expressed his disstasifaction when Mr Khandre was made Minister for Municipal Administration in the Siddaramaiah government. Now it’s the turn of Mr Khandre to pay him back in the same coin. Stating that he had already brought this to the notice of the high command, Mr Khandre added his supporters were highly disappointed.To a query, he felt that the high command should have taken the opinion of MLAs elected from the district before choosing Mr Rajashekhar Patil as Minister.

Asked whether he was in the dissidence group led by former Minister M.B. Patil, Mr Khandre replied, “I’m not in direct touch with him”. Emphasising the need to reward Mr Khandre with a ministerial berth for leading the party to a historic victory in the district, Basavakalyan MLA B Narayan remarked that the present coalition government would not survive for long if former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah was neglected. But he hastened to add “there is no such threat to the government at present”.

Mr Rahim expressed the view that he should have been considered for a ministerial post as he has won three times from the district.