The Congress, stung by dissidence following last week’s Cabinet expansion, on Tuesday tried to contain potential damage to the coalition government by initiating talks with legislators who are miffed over denial of berths.
Former Minister and senior Congress leader Ramalinga Reddy, whose supporters have been staging protests over the last three days, met former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and has, since, softened his stand.
‘Talks satisfactory’
Terming his talks with the former Chief Minister as “satisfactory”, Mr. Reddy told The Hindu that no Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) councillor would resign in protest against the injustice meted out to him during Cabinet expansion, as it was earlier feared.
Sources in the Congress said Mr. Reddy had succeeded in sending out a message to the State party leadership that he cannot be “sidelined” since he has a sway over the BBMP. Nearly half a dozen councillors, who are loyalists of the seven-time MLA had threatened to quit the BBMP membership and dent the chances of the Congress in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections if Mr. Reddy was not accommodated in the State Cabinet.
However, Mr. Siddaramaiah, who is also the chairman of the co-ordination panel, is said to have convinced Mr. Reddy to exercise restrain since the coalition government was functioning with certain limitations.
S.R. Vishwanath’s visit
Though Yelahanka BJP MLA S.R. Vishwanath’s visit to Mr. Reddy’s residence had sparked speculation, he later clarified that it was only to invite the Congress leader for the marriage of his son.
Chickballapur MLA K. Sudhakar called Mr. Siddaramaiah, but told the media later that he had not discussed politics. The MLA, who is also said to be unhappy about not getting Cabinet berth, is expected to hold talks with AICC general secretary in charge of Karnataka K.C. Venugopal on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, another miffed leader, Ramesh Jarkiholi, who was in the city for the last three days, has reportedly left for Belagavi apparently to avoid talks with Mr. Venugopal, who arrived in Bengaluru on Tuesday.
He will hold a meeting with Mr. Siddaramaiah and the KPCC top brass on allocation of portfolios among senior Ministers of the Congress.