Bengaluru: Delhi has turned into a ‘mini Karnataka’ with several ruling Congress legislators engaged in hectic lobbying for ministerial berths. Some leaders are doing everything possible to spoil the ministerial prospects of their rivals while others are pushing for the exit of non-performing ministers so that they have a brighter chance of making it to the Cabinet.
Amidst this, Chief Minister, Siddaramaiah, Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president, Dr G. Parameshwar and Public Works minister, Dr H. C. Mahadevappa held a series of meetings with the party top brass while giving final shape to the list of those to be inducted and dropped.
On Thursday, the CM had met AICC president, Sonia Gandhi's political secretary, Ahmed Patel followed by a meeting with Congress leader in the Lok Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge. On Friday, accompanied by Dr Parameshwar, Mr Siddaramaiah met Mrs Gandhi to hold parleys with her.
Interestingly, Mr Kharge too met Mrs Gandhi twice on Friday-first prior to Mr Siddaramaiah's visit and subsequently after the CM had met Mrs Gandhi. It is being speculated that Mr Kharge has done his bit to upset Mr Siddaramaiah's reshuffle plans which has led to the delay.
Reports are doing the rounds that the CM is keen on dropping loyalists of Mr Kharge like Baburao Chinchansur and Qamarul Islam, something the veteran leader has been stoutly opposing.
Sources close to Mr Kharge however described these meetings as routine saying he had to discuss several crucial issues that might come up in Parliament.
Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, a senior leader said, “Both ministerial aspirants and supporters of ministers likely to be dropped, gathered at Karnataka Bhavan as well as before the houses of several powerful leaders in New Delhi, where they were seen lobbying for either themselves of for their leader.”
