Karnataka: Cabinet change necessary to beat anti-incumbency, says Moily

Congress leader M Veerappa Moily stated that changes in the Karnataka Cabinet are essential to counter anti-incumbency. He added that introducing new faces would benefit aspiring legislators and help the party maintain public support.

'New faces will resolve anti-incumbency'

Congress leader M Veerappa Moily on Friday said that changes in the Karnataka Cabinet were necessary and would help the party overcome "anti-incumbency", adding that the induction of new faces would also benefit aspiring legislators.

Speaking to ANI, Moily said, "Change is always good, new faces will have to come, because there are a number of aspiring MLAs and MLCs who would like to serve in the Government, and even if Siddaramaiah were to continue as a Chief Minister, he would have made a change and all these Ministers would have continued. So, change is good for the Party, and people will also like. The same Ministers and same faces will have an anti-incumbency issue. With the new faces coming into the Ministry, this will be resolved." He further said that a refreshed cabinet would help the government maintain public support and improve administrative effectiveness under outgoing Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.

'Experience necessary for Rajya Sabha'

On Rajya Sabha representation from the state, Moily stressed the need for experienced leadership, saying the Congress must ensure strong representation at the national level. "We need very effective representation in the Rajya Sabha because now we are not in power in Delhi, but at the same time, we require people who can very effectively handle the situation on behalf of the Congress Party and the country. And for this, experience is necessary, and talent is also needed. I think the High Command will consider all this, and they and the present Chief Minister will also consider all this experience and also the talent so that we can very effectively handle the issues on behalf of the state of Karnataka and also on behalf of the Congress at the Rajya Sabha platform," he told ANI.

Siddaramaiah resigns, Congress preps for new cabinet

Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot on Friday accepted the resignation of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, a day after the latter submitted his resignation. On Thursday, Siddaramaiah stepped down from the post following directions from the Congress high command.

Meanwhile, the Congress has intensified preparations for government formation in the state, with Karnataka Congress chief DK Shivakumar meeting with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and party president Mallikarjun Kharge in the national capital to discuss the cabinet reshuffle, sources said.

According to party sources, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, DK Shivakumar, and AICC Karnataka in-charge Randeep Surjewala will hold discussions with the party's top leadership. Rajya Sabha candidates, MLC candidates and the Cabinet reshuffle will be the top priority during the meeting, sources added.

Sources further said several ministers from the Siddaramaiah cabinet are unlikely to get a berth in the DK Shivakumar-led Cabinet. To maintain social and regional balance in the government, four Deputy CMs can be appointed, party sources indicated.

Siddaramaiah's son, Yathindra, a Member of the Legislative Council, is expected to be inducted into the DK Shivakumar Cabinet and is likely to get a heavyweight ministry to send a continuity message of Siddaramaiah's legacy, sources said. (ANI)

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